The Tamil Tigers deserted the last major town under their control as Sri Lankan troops swept into the area pushing the insurgents and thousands of residents into the nearby jungle and villages 'the only remnants of the separatists' once substantial shadow state.
But even with the rebels on the brink of defeat in the 25-year-old civil war, fighting still rages. Health officials said dozens of civilians have been killed or wounded in recent fighting and hundreds of thousands of displaced residents are at risk.
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Sri Lankan troops enter Mullaittivu
Image: A Sri Lankan soldier is seen aboard a military helicopter as they fly towards the newly recaptured Tamil rebel held town of Mullaittivu, about 230 kilometers (143 miles) northeast of Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday, January 27, 2009.
