New fighting between government forces and Tamil Tiger separatists killed 26 rebels and four soldiers along the northern front lines of Sri Lanka's civil war, the military said Saturday. The latest infantry clashes broke out Friday in the Vavuniya, Mannar, Welioya and Jaffna areas, military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said. Troops killed 19 rebels and lost three soldiers during heavy fighting in Mannar district, Nanayakkara said, adding that 10 soldiers were wounded in the clash. Fighting in Vavuniya killed three rebels and one soldier, he said. Other battles in Welioya and Jaffna killed four rebels, Nanayakkara was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan was not immediately available for comment.
