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| The '''Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam''' (LTTE), also known as the '''Tamil Tigers''', is a Sri Lankan ] ] organization founded in ] that has sought to establish an independent state, called ], in the north-east of ]. However, as the country entered a "post-conflict" phase in 2002 and 2003, the LTTE seemed to moderate these demands, seeking instead greater political and economic autonomy within a one-state solution and acknowledging that a military approach was not a viable way to achieve their goals. | <!--The '''Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam''' (LTTE), also known as the '''Tamil Tigers''', is a Sri Lankan ] ] organization founded in ] that has sought to establish an independent state, called ], in the north-east of ]. However, as the country entered a "post-conflict" phase in 2002 and 2003, the LTTE seemed to moderate these demands, seeking instead greater political and economic autonomy within a one-state solution and acknowledging that a military approach was not a viable way to achieve their goals. | ||
| The Tamil Tigers' most notorious crime was the ], ] alleged assassination of ] Prime Minister ] | The Tamil Tigers' most notorious crime was the ], ] alleged assassination of ] Prime Minister ]. It is also known for --> | ||
| The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is a separatist terrorist group that seeks an independent state in areas in ] inhabited by ethnic ]. (Eelam means homeland in Tamil.) The LTTE, also known as the Tamil Tigers, have used conventional, ], and terror tactics, including some 200 ], in a bloody, two-decade-old civil war that has claimed more than 60,000 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans. The U.S. ] lists the LTTE as a foreign ] organization. | |||
| Some of the Tigers’ innovations—such as the “jacket” apparatus worn by individual suicide bombers—have been copied by ], the Lebanese militia ], and Palestinian groups such as ] and the ] Brigades. In its early days, experts say, the LTTE trained with the ], and the group may still come into contact with other terrorist organizations through the illegal arms trade. | |||
| The LTTE is notorious for its suicide bombings. Since the late ]s, the group has conducted some 200 suicide bombings—far more than any other terrorist group. LTTE suicide bombers have attacked civilians on mass transit, at ] shrines, and in office buildings. In October 1997, a suicide truck bomb killed 18 people at the 39-story World Trade Centre in ], Sri Lanka’s capital. | |||
| Beyond suicide bombings, the LTTE have used conventional bombs against political and civilian targets and have gunned down both Sri Lankan officials and civilians. LTTE fighters wear ] capsules around their necks, so they can commit suicide if they are captured. | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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Revision as of 12:06, 10 November 2003
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is a separatist terrorist group that seeks an independent state in areas in Sri Lanka inhabited by ethnic Tamils. (Eelam means homeland in Tamil.) The LTTE, also known as the Tamil Tigers, have used conventional, guerrilla, and terror tactics, including some 200 suicide bombings, in a bloody, two-decade-old civil war that has claimed more than 60,000 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans. The U.S. State Department lists the LTTE as a foreign terrorist organization.
Some of the Tigers’ innovations—such as the “jacket” apparatus worn by individual suicide bombers—have been copied by al-Qaeda, the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, and Palestinian groups such as Hamas and the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. In its early days, experts say, the LTTE trained with the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the group may still come into contact with other terrorist organizations through the illegal arms trade.
The LTTE is notorious for its suicide bombings. Since the late 1980s, the group has conducted some 200 suicide bombings—far more than any other terrorist group. LTTE suicide bombers have attacked civilians on mass transit, at Buddhist shrines, and in office buildings. In October 1997, a suicide truck bomb killed 18 people at the 39-story World Trade Centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital.
Beyond suicide bombings, the LTTE have used conventional bombs against political and civilian targets and have gunned down both Sri Lankan officials and civilians. LTTE fighters wear cyanide capsules around their necks, so they can commit suicide if they are captured.