The conquest of Jaffna marks a pivotal moment during the Sri Lankan Civil War that lasted from 1983 to 2009. In December 1995, after extensive military operations termed Operation Riviresa, the Sri Lankan government claimed victory over the Tamil Tigers by seizing Jaffna, a primary urban area in the northern province. The capture of Jaffna represented both a military and symbolic triumph for the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, as the city had been a bastion for the Tamil National Movement and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The operation unfolded through a series of intense and extended confrontations that commenced in 1995. Military strategies implemented by the Sri Lankan government included aerial bombardments and ground assaults aimed at crippling the LTTE's operational capacity in a region that was heavily fortified by the insurgents. The battle for Jaffna saw significant casualties on both sides and shaped the narrative of the ongoing civil conflict, as control over the region was seen as a stepping stone in the government's efforts to weaken the insurgency.

Following the successful offensive, the Sri Lankan government emphasized the importance of territory as a crucial aspect of national security and the reunification of the country. The capture of Jaffna opened avenues for further military campaigns aimed at eliminating LTTE influence in other regions, indicating a decisive escalation in government military strategy. It also contributed to an international focus on the long-standing ethnic tensions within Sri Lanka, highlighting concerns regarding human rights abuses and humanitarian crises resulting from the conflict.