Sri Lanka

Since January of this year there have been over 6,400 civilian casualties in the Sri Lankan Civil War between the government and the rebel group, Tamil Tigers. This accounts for more than half of this year's total casualties. You can compare this to the total number of civilian casualties of 2008 (400), which was only 3.6% of the total casualties. These contrasting proportions can be attributed to herding of the innocent to what was thought to be a 'no-fire zone' where they were mixed with Tigers. Tigers and non-combatants were killed side by side in civilian dress making it impossible to attain accurate information concerning casualties for the 2 groups separately. Both the Tamil Tigers and the government are pointing fingers at each other for killing non-combatants. The UN has requested that the Tamil Tigers allow removal of civilians from the war zone to reduce these casualties, but currently land removal is not safe and all must be done by sea. The group is now on route to internment camps where they will attempt to differentiate civilians from guerillas. Neither group will agree to cease fire. This 25 year battle is thought to be in its end stages , but rebel activities are sure to continue.