Mass Killing of Tamil Civilians by Peacekeepers

August 2nd, 1989

August 2nd, 1989

Mass Killing of Tamil Civilians by Peacekeepers
How Long Ago?

35 years, 7 months, 13 days ago

Location

Sri Lanka

Category

Military & Warfare

War/Conflict

Sri Lankan Civil War

Links & References
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Mass Killing of Tamil Civilians by Peacekeepers

An incident occurred where Indian Peace Keeping Forces engaged in operations that resulted in the deaths of 64 ethnic Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka. This incident raised significant concerns about the conduct of peacekeeping forces and the treatment of Tamil civilians during the civil conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

64 Tamil civilians were killed by Indian forces.

Indian Peace Keeping Forces were deployed in Sri Lanka.

Incident raised concerns over military conduct.

Part of the larger Sri Lankan Civil War.

What Happened?

In Sri Lanka, during the complex civil conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the militant group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), an incident involving the Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF) led to the deaths of 64 ethnic Tamil civilians. The IPKF had been sent to the island nation in 1987 as part of an agreement intended to establish peace and disarm the LTTE. However, the peacekeeping role was fraught with challenges as the Indian troops faced hostility from various factions, including the LTTE and certain Tamil groups. On this day, the IPKF conducted operations in the Tamil-dominated areas, leading to a violent encounter.The conflict was significant in its power dynamics, as tensions were high between the Tamil population seeking autonomy and the Sinhalese-majority government. The IPKF was tasked with monitoring the ceasefire and facilitating the political process, but these operations often led to tragic unintended consequences. The incident drew widespread condemnation and raised questions about the effectiveness and accountability of international peacekeeping missions. The civilians caught in this conflict were often victims of the broader struggle for sovereignty and recognition within Sri Lanka.Following the massacre, public outrage escalated among the Tamil community as well as among various international human rights organizations. Investigations were called for, as this event exemplified the delicate nature of peacekeeping in civil conflicts, and underscored the risks faced by civilians in war-torn regions. The ramifications of the incident continued to mar the image of the IPKF and altered the perception of peacekeeping operations globally, fueling ongoing debates about military intervention and humanitarian efforts in conflicts.

Why Does it Matter?

This incident is particularly interesting as it reflects the complexities faced by peacekeeping forces in civil wars. It served to highlight the often precarious and volatile nature of peacekeeping missions, especially when dealing with ethnic conflicts. The repercussions underscored the need for more stringent rules of engagement and greater accountability in peacekeeping operations.

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