Tamil Tigers

Guide Note

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelan (LTTE), commonly known as the Tamil Tigers, is a separatist group in Sri Lanka led by Velupillai Prabhakaran. Since the 1970s the Tamil Tigers have waged an often violent campaign against the government of Sri Lanka with the stated goal of establishing an independent Tamil state in the north and west of the island. Though the Tamil Tigers aided in relief operations following the 2004 tsunami in the region, they are more commonly criticized for human rights violations including targeting of civilians, use of child soldiers, suicide bombings, and alleged acts of ethnic cleansing. The Tamil Tigers are recognized as a Terrorist organization by 30 countries including India, the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union. Some have proposed links between the Tamil Tigers and other terrorist organizations, notably Al Qaeda. However, most analysts believe this to be unlikely, if not impossible, citing the lack of any evidence a link exists and Al Qaeda's documented hatred for secular political movements.

Fast Facts

1. Official Name: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelan (LTTE)
2. Separatist organization in Sri Lanka
3. Leader: Velupillai Prabhakaran
4. Founded: 1972
5. Size: 10,000 members
6. Labeled a terrorist organization in 30 countries