Citation

Smith JO. Small Wars Insurg. 2011; 22(3): 448-466.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09592318.2011.581490

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A comprehensive maritime interdiction strategy to attack the insurgent's logistic system was a key element in the defeat of the Tamil Tigers. The campaign of maritime interdiction required the Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) to attack LTTE arms smuggling, sea piracy, and maritime terrorism. The SLN degraded the insurgency's robust maritime logistical network while also devising tactics to engage the maritime insurgents who reacted with swarm and suicide boat tactics. The efforts of the SLN forced the Tamil Tigers to confront the government's final land offensives with diminished resources, thus collapsing a three decades' old insurgency in a matter of months. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.

Language: en

Keywords

Sri Lanka; Counterinsurgency; Arms smuggling; Counter-piracy; Counter-smuggling; Maritime interdiction; Maritime security operations; Maritime terrorism; Piracy; Small boat tactics