Total Destruction of the Tamil Tigers: The Rare Victory of Sri Lanka's Long War

by Paul L. Moorcraft

Overview

In 2009, the Sri Lankan government forces literally eradicated the Tamil Tiger insurgency after 26 years of civil war. This was the first time that a government had defeated an indigenous insurgency by force of arms. It was as if the British army killed thousands of IRA cadres to end the war in Northern Ireland. The story of this war is fascinating in itself, besides the international repercussions for terrorism and insurgency worldwide. Many countries involved themselves in the war to arm the combatants (China, Pakistan, India, and North Korea) or to bring peace (US, France, UK, and Norway).While researching this work Professor Moorcraft was given unprecedented access to Sri Lankan politicians (including the President and his brother, the Defense Permanent Secretary), senior generals, intelligence chiefs, civil servants, UN officials, foreign diplomats and NGOs. He also interviewed the surviving leader of the Tamil Tigers.His conclusions and findings will be controversial. He reveals how the authorities determined to stamp out Tamil Tiger resistance by whatever means frustrated the media and foreign mediators. Their methods, which have led to accusations of war crimes, were brutally effective but are likely to remain highly contentions for years to come.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781783830749
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date:	01/31/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	986,611
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Professor Paul Moorcraft has frontline experience reporting on over 20 years, from A-Z, to Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, as a correspondent for print, radio and TV for nearly 40 years. He is currently Visiting Professor at Cardiff University and Director of the Centre for Foreign Policy Analysis, London.

Table of Contents

About the Author vii

Maps viii

Abbreviations xii

Brief Timeline xiv

Introduction: Why the Sri Lankan War is Important xv

The Beginnings

1 The Background to the War 1

2 The Rise of the Tigers 12

3 Outbreak of the War 14

4 Eelam War I (1983-87) 18

5 Big Brother Steps In: The Indian 'Peacekeepers' 21

6 Eelam War II (1990-95) 27

7 Eelam War III (1995-2002) 34

8 The Long Ceasefire 38

The Main Combatants

9 The Sri Lankan Government Forces 47

10 The Tigers 86

The Climax

11 Trying 'Peace' First 109

12 Eelam War TV: Towards All-Out War 126

13 The Cage 136

After the Shooting War

14 The Long Propaganda War 150

15 Building Peace 157

16 Conclusions 165

Select Bibliography 171

Endnotes 173

Index 179

Editorial Reviews

An informative and detailed account of how the Sri Lankan government’s forces succeeded
in 2009 in defeating the Tamil Tiger insurgency after 26 years of civil war. The author’s account
is based on extensive research in Sri Lanka, where he interviewed the country’s leading
politicians (including the President and his brother, the Defence Permanent Secretary), senior
generals, intelligence chiefs, civil servants, UN officials, foreign diplomats and NGOs. He also
interviewed the surviving leader of the Tamil Tigers.

Perspectives on Terrorism

"Charts recap organizational structures of the LTTE and of Sri Lanka's chief of national intelligence. A handy list recaps acronyms and abbreviations... Four pages of maps geographically and chronologically chart the conflict. And 24 pages of B&W photographs visually spice the stew. Student of counterinsurgency campaigns? Add this splendid study to your library. I loved it. Rabidly recommended!"

Cybermodeler