Military Attacks Rebel Hide-Outs

Soldiers have begun a new offensive to blunt hit-and-run attacks by Tamil rebels from their jungle hide-outs in eastern Sri Lanka, the government said. Hundreds of soldiers took part in the offensive, said military spokesman Tissa Jayatunga. Supported by helicopter gunships, the soldiers moved southward from Batticaloa into the jungle bases of the guerrillas, Jayatunga said. The guerrillas have been building up positions in the east after the military captured their longtime stronghold of Jaffna a year ago. The rebels want a separate homeland, claiming that Tamils are discriminated against by the majority Sinhalese.