Fact Check: The Tamil Tigers are terrorists

Fact Check: "The Tamil Tigers are terrorists"

What We Know

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), commonly known as the Tamil Tigers, were a militant organization that sought an independent homeland for the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1972 by Velupillai Prabhakaran, the LTTE became the dominant Tamil militant group by the late 1980s. The conflict between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government resulted in an estimated 70,000 deaths, with the LTTE recognized for carrying out high-profile assassinations, including that of Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa in 1993 and former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 (Mapping Militant Organizations).

The LTTE was designated a "foreign terrorist organization" by the U.S. government in 1996, and this designation has been maintained through subsequent reviews (U.S. Department of State). Additionally, over 32 different states, including the U.S., India, Canada, and the EU, have classified the LTTE as a terrorist organization (Mapping Militant Organizations). The group's military tactics included the use of suicide bombers, and they were known for their sophisticated military structure, which included naval and airborne units (Mapping Militant Organizations).

Analysis

The classification of the LTTE as a terrorist organization is supported by multiple credible sources. The U.S. Department of State has consistently listed the LTTE as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, citing their use of terror tactics alongside guerrilla warfare (U.S. Department of State). The FBI has also highlighted the LTTE's unique position as the only terrorist organization to have assassinated two world leaders, underscoring their violent methods and political motivations (FBI).

Critics of the LTTE, including various governments and international bodies, have pointed to their extensive use of violence, including bombings and targeted killings, as evidence of their terrorist activities. The LTTE's funding mechanisms, which included extortion and criminal activities, further align with characteristics typically associated with terrorist organizations (Mapping Militant Organizations).

However, it is important to note that the LTTE also had a political wing and sought to represent the interests of the Tamil population in Sri Lanka. This duality complicates the narrative; while they engaged in terrorism, they also claimed to fight for a legitimate cause. Nonetheless, the overwhelming consensus among international bodies and governments categorizes their actions as terrorism due to the methods employed and the impact on civilian populations.

Conclusion

The claim that "The Tamil Tigers are terrorists" is True. The LTTE's designation as a terrorist organization by numerous governments and international bodies, combined with their documented use of violent tactics and high-profile assassinations, supports this classification. Despite their political motives, the methods employed by the LTTE align with the characteristics of terrorism as defined in international law.