Eelam War III

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Eelam War III
Part of the Sri Lankan Civil War
Date 19 April 1995 – 22 February 2002 Location Sri Lanka Result Cease fire Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam tactical victory[1]
Belligerents
Sri Lanka Military of Sri Lanka	Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
Commanders and leaders
Chandrika Kumaratunga (1994–2005)	Velupillai Prabhakaran
Strength
130,000	13,500
Casualties and losses
10,838	2,746

Eelam War III is the name given to the third phase of armed conflict between the Sri Lankan military and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

After the period of 100 days cease-fire the hostilities broke out on 19 April 1995. The LTTE - Sea Tigers planted explosives in two gun boats known as SLNS 'Sooraya' and 'Ranasuru', and blew them up.

Also, a new weapon "Stinger", a shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missile was used in this conflict by the LTTE. This was used to take down two Sri Lankan Air Force AVRO aircraft flying over the Jaffna peninsula.

Eelam War III also marked the rising success of the LTTE, as they managed to capture key districts such as Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, and took over the Elephant Pass base. With the path clear towards the Muhumalai and Nagarkovil FDLs, the LTTE launched Operation Unceasing Waves IV in efforts to capture the Jaffna peninsula.

By the end of Eelam War III, the LTTE had control of nearly 30% of the entire island.