User:Dair09/Divisions of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are infamous for their terroristic qualities within guerrilla warfare. Also known as the Tamil Tigers; they integrated female participation within all squadrons, land, sea, and air.

Background on Female Participation

The Sri Lankan government passed the Sinhala Only Act in 1956 which codified Sinhala as the official language of Sri Lanka, replacing English and completely foregoing Tamil. This was the first of many acts of the Sinhalese ethnic majority to pursue policy that would aid them, while also discriminating against the Tamil people. In the days after the Sinhala Only Act, women were used to speak at political events. Women went from mothers at home to using their skills in political camps across Sri Lanka. These female figureheads during the primary stages of resistance were called Veerathayar, which translates into English as Brave Mothers. With their ethnic identity in peril, these women went from passive individuals to armed combatants and terrorists within the ethnically-based conflict. At first, women were set aside for propaganda purposes and to then increase manpower on the battlefield, with the idea that they were empowering themselves while aiding the campaign. From the early stages of the campaign in the 1980's, to the early 2000's, there were strides taken by women in the LTTE to start commanding more individuals. in 1983 the first section specifically designated to women within the LTTE was established, and was given the name Vituthalai Pulikal Munani (Women's Front of the Liberation Tigers). however, until the early 1990's, the participation of women in military exercises remained small, with it beginning to rapidly increase as time went on. The first female brigade of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was given the name Sothiya, after its commander, Maria Vasanthi Michael's, nickname. After this installation of a female commander of a women's unit, more all-female units followed such as the Malathi Brigade. There was such a success with these two brigades that females within the militant group ascended to being able to hold higher power and control within the organization. At one point, there were entire military units led by women, and a third of all LTTE recruits were women. The women's front of the LTTE was well known for following the rules of war. Females carried their guns in the open, wore uniforms, had a discernible and responsible chain of command, and targeted only the military. However, the male brigades did target civilians in multiple attacks.

The cultural significance behind the participation of women within the LTTE was extremely important due to the emphasis on motherhood in the Tamil society. Suicide bombing became extremely popular for women due to the importance of purpose they must have in society. After a woman is married and is postpartum she is now deemed as finished with her predestined life. Another issue was the use of rape on women, once a women was raped within their society they were now to not able to be married. Suicide bombing was the only viable choice for these women to find a purpose. This was incredibly important to women within the Tamil society due to their importance on motherhood. Self sacrifice was the biggest goal for women, therefore their work within the LTTE was extremely important to their gender. Women were not only making a statement for their country, but now for their gender.

Mobilization of Female Combatants

The creation of the Veerathaya ideal was what originally brought the Tamil women together, but what kept the women in line was that without this military participation, they would not be able to denounce societal rules and form their own identity not connected to their male counterparts. The LTTE was actually one of the first terrorist movements to actively recruit women into its movement as active fights. So one can understand from this that the women involved were being influenced by the idea of possible self-empowerment and hatred of the state. The rigorous training of the LTTE soldiers also included the suppression of the natural desire for sex and the idea of female sexuality, which was a large part of the LTTE indoctrination of the women combatants. In an act that would have been illegal in Sri Lanka prior to the rejection of the state, the suppression of human desire was manipulated into empowerment by LTTE officials to make it seem as though by joining, the women involved were upending the status quo. Another possible explanation for female motivation is nationalist sentiment, as there were many influential women that were seen as important to the LTTE that spread Tamil Nationalism. Lastly, in the later stages of the war there was a one-family one-child recruiting strategy that brought manpower to the ranks through force. Whatever the reason for an individual to join the LTTE, the campaign to bring women into the organization was successful, as in 1983 the first women's front was created under Colonel Vithusha. The women started combat and front training shortly after in 1985. Exclusive women’s camps were set up in 1987, which was appealing for women to join the regiment, since they were targeted by conflict on the home front. By 1989 the women’s front gained their own representation and section of the Tamil Tigers.

The Female Manifesto of the LTTE

Though the women that participated could not be united for many things, these four points kept them united in their fight for the terrorist organization and made sure that they understood what they should be fighting for.

1. Abolish the caste system, and its discriminatory practices.
2. Eliminate all forms of discrimination against Tamil women, gain equality in all aspects (economically, politically, and socially).
3. Ensure Tamil women the right to their own lives and have autonomy.
4. Secure pro-women policy, such as protection against rape, sexual harassment, and domestic violence.

Different All-Female Brigades

The military brigades had women acting like soldiers. Women combat training began in 1985 although the Women’s Front of the Liberation Tigers was formed in 1983. Prabhakaran, former president of the LTTE, created the first training camp specifically for women in Jaffna in 1987. During this time women were suffering the most, but at the same time it was evident that the recruitment for women was at its all time high.

Sea Tigers

The Black Sea Tigers were the main women's squadron in beginning of women's participation. It was reported in 2002 that the only female LTTE deaths were from the Black Sea Tiger brigade. The Sea Tigers were a naval wing run by Colonel Soosai. The main formation of this brigade had 15 meter fiberglass boats with 250 horsepower that were equipped with grenade launchers and other dangerous weapons. Their attack operations were based on circumstances so before going into battle, the soldiers weren’t told exactly what to do. They simply assessed the situation and based their actions on that information. This brigade served two main purposes. They defended coastal areas as well as infiltrate harbors, recovered material from sunken ships, and locate the enemy. Their job was to keep the overseas supply lines open for LTTE and most of these operations took place in the Indian Ocean.

Black Tigers

The Black Tigers are recruited based on nationalist passions, not because of poverty or unemployment like how it's usually made. The Tigers apply by writing a letter to Prabhakaran and then he goes through the application and analyzes the applicants skills, motivations, and family situation. Factors like whether they are an only child or have any dependents go into account during recruitment also. During selection, the selected tiger goes under six months of training at a location called ‘Red Garden’. Towards the end of training, the selected Tiger will swear a loyalty oath to the Tiger's leader, Prabhakaran, and place an amulet containing a cyanide capsule on their neck. For the suicide missions, the LTTE personally selects tigers from the Black Tigers or the Birds of Freedom, the women’s suicide wing. The Black Tiger is then separated from everyone and loses all contact with friends and family. Before going on a suicide mission they will then have a special meal with Prabhakaran. Almost one third of the Black Tigers consist of women and women are actually preferred because they don't undergo the same body restrictions and body searches as men do. Women's clothing also makes it easier for them to smuggle in bomb belts and carry out the mission easily. They lead most military operations. They also had six types of explosive devices. Human-borne suicide also known as the suicide vest, vehicle-borne suicide also known as motorcycle suicide, naval craft-borne suicide also known as scuba dive suicide, and aerial borne suicide.

Air Tigers

The Air Tigers were an airborne group run by Prabhakaran's son, Prabhakaran being the founder of the group.

Attacks

The first successful attack by the female unit of the Tamil Tigers was the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi on May 21st 1991.

Gandhi was killed by a female suicide bomber while campaigning for an election on behalf of congress Eighteen other people were killed in the attack. Other suicide bombers attended the assassination, four died in the explosion and those who did not willingly took cyanide to kill themselves. Gandhi sent Indian peacekeepers to Sri Lanka and only withdrew them after over 1200 men were killed. The attack on the commander of the Sri Lanka, Field Marshal Gardihewa Sarath Chandralal Fonseka, armed forces on April 25th 2006 was executed by a pregnant women. Many other female suicide bombings occurred after Gandhi, all the attacks listed below were carried out by female terrorists.

Attack Timeline

May 21st, 1991: Assassination of Rajiv Ghandi.

October 24th, 1994: Gamını Dissanayake, leader of the Opposition and United National Party candidate for the presidential elections was assassinated along with 58 others in Colombo.

November 24th, 1995: 16 people killed and 52 wounded at the headquarters of the Sri Lankan Army.

July 4th, 1996: The intended target of the suicide bombing was a Housing and Construction Minister, got away with minor injuries, 20 people were killed, including a military commander, and 60 injured as the ministers motorcade stopped in Jaffna.

March 18th, 1999: Intended target of the suicide bombing was Chief Inspector Mohammed Nilabdeen, head of the terrorism investigation unit. Nilabdeen and 8 others were injured, 2 were killed.

December 18th, 1999: The suicide attempt was on President Chandrika Kumaratunga at an election meeting at the town hall in Columbo. The president was injured along with over 100 others. 21 people were killed.

July 7th, 2004: Female soldier attempted assassination of Hindu Affairs Minister, Douglas Devananda, who was a critic of the LTTE. Resulting in 5 killed, and 9 injured.

April 25th, 2006: Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka was the target. She was critically injured along with 27 others. 8 people were killed.

February 3rd, 2008: 12 killed and 100 injured after a women blew herself up in the Colombo Fort Railway Station.

February 9th, 2009: 28 killed and over 60 injured when a women blew herself up after a female soldier tried to body check her at a checkpoint to be taken to a welfare center.

Aftermath

It was reported that nearly 5,000 female LTTE were killed since their regiment was formed in 1985. Over 100 of these women took part in suicide missions tasked by the Black Tiger Suicide Squad. It was later reported through salvaged letters and memoirs, that women were put through the same combat training as men. Which was physically more difficult for most of these combatants. It was also later reported that women were forced to suppress femininity, and sexuality. Women were not allowed to marry up to the age of 25.

Social Re-integration

After the war ended, the survivors of all sides that were allowed back Into society had to deal with the fallout, and this was done through state-led reintegration training that helped ex-combatants retain vocational skills. with this, women were able to be the ones who could persuade the government to see that negative impacts of their policies on the population of the nation. This phase of social reintegration also emphasized the nuances for why women joined the LTTE in the first place, and how they could be the answers to future peace. However, in a non-proportional case considering the gender percentages, women were stigmatized for their involvement in the LTTE significantly more than their male counterparts, after the war had ended.