AAAS Satellite Image Analysis Points to New Graves, Shelling, and Human Displacement in Sri Lanka
Beside a green lagoon on Sri Lanka’s northeastern coast, on a sandy spit of land less than 8 miles long, violence reportedly erupted 9-10 May as military soldiers clashed with rebel Tamil Tigers.
Now, a detailed AAAS assessment of high-resolution satellite images seems to confirm descriptions of intense fighting within Sri Lanka’s “no-fire zone”—revealing a landscape scarred by freshly dug graves and artillery explosions.
By 6 May 2009, numberous probable internally displaced persons structures are present in this image, along with a graveyard (outlined in red), containing an estimated 195 burials.
“The narrow peninsula that makes up the civilian safety zone in Sri Lanka clearly has undergone very dramatic physical changes,” Bromley confirmed. “By comparing before-and-after satellite images, we were able to see a significant movement of the region’s human population, suggesting widespread displacement, based on changes to structures. We also identified many crater-like features consistent with shelling, a major gravesite expansion, and numerous suspected mortar sites.”
By 10 May 2009, the graveyard in this image, outlined in red, has expanded substantially, compared with the earlier, 6 May image above.
Shortly after the clash between the Sri Lankan military and rebels with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the New York Times filed this report: “A government doctor said at least 378 civilians—and perhaps as many as 1,000—had been killed and more than 1,100 wounded on Saturday and Sunday during intensive shelling of the combat zone on Sri Lanka’s northeastern coast.”
The Defense Ministry of Sri Lanka issued a statement contending that rebels were “bombarding their own civilians.” Other sources have accused the government of shelling the civilian-populated region, which was declared a no-fire zone on 12 February. Journalists meanwhile reported being banned or ejected from the region.
Bromley compared six images, spanning dates from 9 May 2005 through 24 May 2009, captured by multiple satellites, including DigitalGlobe’s QuickBird and WorldView satellites; and GeoEye’s Ikonos and GeoEye-1 satellites.
By 24 May 2009, an area across the street from the original graveyard in this image has been cleared and is also being used for burials. AAAS analysis suggested that 342 new graves were dug at this site in Sri Lanka's "no-fire zone" following the 9-10 May episode of renewed fighting.
The AAAS analysis, requested by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International USA, was conducted as part of broader AAAS research funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
When compared with a 6 May satellite image, a 10 May image reveals “the obvious removal of thousands of likely [internally displaced persons, or IDP] structures,” the AAAS report states. “Overall, the area appears to have been swept relatively clean.”
AAAS Satellite Image – I would like to also see satellite images of the destruction and death of innocent civillians in Iraq, Isreal, Pakistan and Afganistan.
Very easy to defend any negative information all one have do is mention Iraq . So in other words agree we kill innocent hapless civilians as well but what’s with innocent Saddam Husein and Iraqi civilians?
Firstly let’s start from Sri Lanka then blame all the world combine or LTTE, Sri Lanka racist government usual supect. Mean while, one of the worst human rights violator in recent history is Sri Lanka pensioner, President Rajapussy. Instead of bouncing a one or two grand children on his knees, he is busy dispatching death squads all over the world. Recently the unfortunate victim of racists Sri Lanka Government was Selvarasa Pathmanathan who was kidnapped from Malaysia. The next destination is India. Their abuse and impunity will march with triumphal Nazi –like superiority all over the world. So BEWARE!!! Anyone who even thinks about the Hindu minority human rights, the bloodthirsty Sri Lanka Army of Hindy baby-killers will pay you a visit
Gadin – the “unfortunate victim” Selvarasa Pathmanathan is criminal wanted by interpol. Sri Lanka will soon be arresting the other agents of terror. Better watch out you may be soon on a flight back to sri lanka to face justice. President Rajapaksa will go down in the history of Sri Lanka as a modern day hero who fought a just war against terror and prevailed over great odds. The people of Sri Lanka should make him president for life. The bloodthirsty pensioner who is known as the late sun goat is the one that killed so many innocent people. This is why the world branded the LTTE as terrorists. The international community has commended the Sri Lankan govt for defeating terrorism.
Sandeep Gupta
Unfortunately 9/11 of NY did not happen in 1957.
If it had all the singhala goons,politicians,police,singhala parliamentatians and Budhist priests would have been the banned Terrorists for many years-Terrorising innocent Tamils.
There were no other terrorists in the country.
Sandeep Gupta
Do you see the thread and the pics on this site.
Do not deviate from this by bashing others.
Can we have some answers to this.
Sandeep Gupta
Don’t get off the thread. Give your intelligent answer.
We would love to hear your views on the above topic.
ofcourse stop the boasting
about the ‘war on Terror’
If 9/11 happened in1957 all you guys would be behind bars and no where to
hide or run.
No country would have let you in.
Rajes Rajah – good job posting under my own name. You have done it before posting under Rajes Rajah and other handles. But thats ok. Must be frustrating that no matter what you say or do will NEVER make a difference. My position is very simple – LTTE is a terorist organization and anyone that supports the LTTE are supporters of terrorism. The only good terrorist is a dead one. The LTTE forcibly kept civilains as hostages because they were scared to fight the army one on one (confirmed by even the critics of Sri lanka). The LTTE fired at the forces from the midst of civilians and at times fired on the civilians to blame the sri lankan army (hoping that someone will save their skins). There is video evidence of the lTTE shooting/shelling the civilians they were trying to “protect”. There is no point in talking about imaginery bull sh*t that happened in 1957. Sri Lanka will always be an individed country and no one will be allowed to divide it. This position is supported by the international community including India. Even Karunadhi has admitted that there will never be a Peelam in Sri Lanka. Keep dreaming thats all I can offer you
To Rajes Rajah -fantastic posts!!! With people like you the truth will prevail!!! We shall OVERCOME!!! Selvarasa Pathmanathan, was leading the PTGTE in the political/diplomatic fronts to seek freedom for Tamil minority in Sri Lanka, until his illegal abduction and extraordinary rendition from Malaysia on august 5. Although the war is over, the Tamils are yet to get rid of their plights. The ground realities do not show that the Racists Sri Lankan government of President Rajapussy is making any pragmatic effort to offer autonomy for the minority Tamils, rather it is rejecting Tamils’ genuine demands and further is trying to colonize Tamil homeland with Sinhalese. Instead of accepting Tamils’ legitimate demands for the sake of lasting peace, the Sinha -racists are engaged in how it can make Tamils more subservient to them. The bloodthirsty Sri Lanka Army of baby-killers butchered more than 20,000 Hindu Tamils on Mother Day Massacre during the final phase of the war in Vanni. Further, they are now holding more than 300,000 innocent Tamil civilians in Guantanamo-like militarized internment camps with access denied to NGOs, INGOs, local MPs and media.
Sandeep Gupta
Contents were addressed to -sandeep gupta.
It is clearly understood that it was innadvertantly copied under yours by the siber news team.Don’t agitate about irrelevant mistakes.
Seems you are guilty about posting under differnt handles.If the caps fits you waer it.Don;t accuse others.