"Partly, this is to keep potential military manpower handy, partly it's for propaganda purposes. Civilians controlled are a sign of political power, and they can also be used as human shields, to provide some protection from artillery or air attack. If civilians are hurt by artillery or bombs, you can accuse the government of atrocities," the website said.

According to the site, the LTTE was also using INGOs for political purposes. So the government has ordered foreign NGOs out of LTTE territory, at least until this final battle is over.

The LTTE are now staging counterattacks, but none strong enough to stop the army advance, the site added.