| ID | 092304 |
| Title Proper | first non-state use of a chemical weapon in warfare |
| Other Title Information | the Tamil Tigers assault on East Kiran |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Hoffman, Bruce |
| Publication | 2009. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This article presents research conducted by the author in Sri Lanka to verify the first non-state use of a chemical weapon in warfare. This 1990 incident involved a primitive chemical attack perpetrated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (the LTTE or Tamil Tigers) on a Sri Lankan Armed Forces (SLAF) encampment in East Kiran, in the Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka. The article first describes the incident itself, before providing a brief description of the LTTE, its background, and the influence of its leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran. The article then analyzes the attack and places it within the context of theories about potential terrorist and insurgent use of unconventional weapons, such as chemical warfare agents. The research reported here is of interest not only because of the unique, opportunistic dimension of the attack, but also because its conclusions challenge the conventional wisdom about likely terrorist and insurgent use of these unconventional weapons and sheds new light on their interest and intentions in employing such weapons and tactics. |
| `In' analytical Note | Small Wars and Insurgencies vol. 20, No. 3-4; Sep-Dec 2009: p.463 - 477 |
| Journal Source | Small Wars and Insurgencies vol. 20, No. 3-4; Sep-Dec 2009: p.463 - 477 |
| Key Words | Chemical ; Psychological ; Terrorism ; Insurgencies ; Assaults ; Conventional ; Nuclear ; Biological ; Collateral |