Battle of Delft

Battle of Delft
Part of the Sri Lankan Civil War
Date December 25, 2007 Location off Delft, Sri Lanka Result Disputed
Belligerents
Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force (Close air support)	Sea Tigers
Strength
12 fast attack craft, helicopter gunships and Kfir fighter jets	unknown
Casualties and losses
Government Claims 12 dead one boat damaged, rebels claim one sunk one damaged	Government Claims 9 boats sunk and 40 dead, rebels claim 4 dead

The Battle of Delft was a naval battle on December 25, 2007 and part of the Sri Lankan Civil War. The Sri Lankan Navy claimed that it received reports of a boat cluster moving off of Delft Island. After moving in to investigate clashes erupted and fierce sea battle ensued. Both sides claimed to have victory. The pro-rebel Tamilnet claimed that the Sea Tigers sank one Sri Lankan Navy vessel and the Sri Lankan Navy suffered casualty. However, the Sri Lankan Defense ministry claimed that 6 Tiger boats were sunk and over 40 Tigers were killed.

References

• Gardner, Simon (2007-12-26). "Sri Lanka says sinks 11 rebel boats in sea battle". Reuters UK. http://uk.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUKSP299836._CH_.242020071226. 
• "'Tamil Tigers hit' in naval clash". BBC News. 2007-12-26. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7160353.stm. 
• "Sea clash 'kills 40 Tamil rebels'". CNN.com Asia. 2007-12-26. http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/12/26/lanka.fighting/.