International Reactions
- Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of External Affairs, visited Colombo to put forth India's demand to extradite Prabhakaran if he is caught alive. India was to "seek the safety of Tamil population in Sri Lanka." However, Mukherjee stated that India has no sympathies with the LTTE which is a banned organisation in India.
- Jonas Gahr Støre, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Government of Norway said Norway condemned the "conduct of current hostilities causing unacceptable suffering of civilians" in the offensive, with International Development Minister Erik Solheim urging the parties to ensure that food and other humanitarian assistance reach the population – "The sick and wounded must be given access to treatment, and ambulances need to freely enter and leave the conflict area." A health official reported that at least 300 civilians were wounded and scores killed by Sri Lankan army artillery shells fired into a designated "safe zone" for Tamils trapped by fighting between the military and Tamil rebels. The Sri Lankan military denied firing into the zone, saying no hospitals or schools were hit.
- The United Nations demanded safety of Tamil civilians in the Vanni. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his "deep concern" over civilians trapped in the war zone.
- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) witnessed a major humanitarian crisis was unfolding, with hundreds killed, and hospitals and schools being hit. Reacting to body counts in the hundreds at local hospitals, The ICRC wanted to evacuate 200 wounded people for treatment, but could not obtain security clearance – they now faced certain death.
- Germany stated civilians had been cut off from international aid for more than 10 days and condemned the hostilities, calling for a negotiated ceasefire and a political agreement between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil rebels.
- US ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert Blake urged the Sri Lankan Army and LTTE to "ensure civilians are not caught in crossfire".
Read more about this topic: Battle Of Mullaitivu (2009)
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