Tactical withdrawals and tactical manoeuvres

The fact that LTTE has yielded territory to the SLA is not disputed by the LTTE military and political hierarchy. However, what is less well known (but should be obvious to everyone) is the strategy behind yielding territory. LTTE has believed in and continues to believe in the time tested “defence in depth” strategies. This strategy has time and again proven to be the trump card for the LTTE. One only has to look at the disastrous Jayasikuru and the immensely successful Ceaseless waves operations of the past century for proof of this strategy’s effectiveness.

For those of who aren’t aware of defence in depth, following is a short intro from Wikipedia:

“Defence in depth is a military strategy sometimes referred to as elastic defence or deep defence. Defence in depth seeks to delay rather than prevent the advance of an attacker, buying time and causing additional casualties by yielding space. Rather than defeating an attacker with a single, strong defensive line, defence in depth relies on the tendency of an attack to lose momentum over a period of time or as it covers a larger area. A defender can thus yield lightly-defended territory in an effort to stress an attacker's logistics or spread out a numerically superior attacking force. Once an attacker has lost momentum or is forced to spread out to pacify a large area, defensive counter-attacks can be mounted on the attacker's weak points with the goal being to cause attrition warfare or drive the attacker back to its original starting position”.

As we speak, the LTTE is engaged in defence in depth. SLA units have been encouraged to move right up to the outskirts of the Kili and Mulla townships by the LTTE, the entire western coastal belt (including Poonakari), entire district of Mannar and Vavuniya, and part of the eastern belt was ordered to be vacated as per the instructions of the LTTE military panel. These tactical manoeuvres were intended to assist the LTTE battlefield commanders to effectively pursue the defence in depth tactics.

The world is now witnessing the beginnings of the counter attacks and decapitation strikes by the LTTE. The SLA has been effectively stalled in multiple fronts and the attrition rate is very high. Earlier, military and political observers made light of these strategic manoeuvres by making a mockery of LTTE tactical withdrawals, it is only now the tactical nature of these withdrawals are coming to light. The upcoming weeks will see LTTE launch surprise attacks and regain vacated territory. The LTTE has ample hardcore battle hardened well trained armed cadres, sufficient hardware, high morale and funding to carry out a long drawn out campaign against the SLA.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife about a schism in the LTTE hierarchy. Rumours are circulating that Poddu Amman and Colonel Soosai have been relieved of duties, and various other Colonels are under house arrest. The blog owner can confirm that these reports are entirely without merit and there is not even a shred of truth in these fabrications. Poddu Amman, Colonel Soosai and the other Colonels are in their respective positions and have the full support of our leader. Also there was news that Colonel Ramesh was seriously injured and in a critical condition, we can confirm that Colonel Ramesh did suffer from shrapnel wounds, however, the injuries are not life threatening in any way and he is expected to recover very soon and lead from the front in the coming few days.

Lastly, the blog owner is proud say that our PC-7 article was referred in the latest post by The Long Ranger.