The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Colombo

Nine Tamil Tiger rebels and four soldiers were killed in new clashes in Sri Lanka's restive north, the military said Sunday.

Fighting broke out Saturday in Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya and Welioya regions, a military official said on condition of anonymity citing government orders.

Authorities have vowed to defeat the rebels and dismantle their de facto state in the north by the end of this year.

Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan could not be reached for comment. It was not possible to independently verify the military's claim because reporters are not allowed in the war zone.

Tamil Tiger rebels have fought since 1983 to carve out an independent homeland in the island's north and east for ethnic minority Tamils, who have faced decades of marginalization by successive governments controlled by majority ethnic Sinhalese.

More than 70,000 people have been killed in the fighting.