Tiger rebels say Sri Lanka attacks spread to north

COLOMBO, Aug 11 (Reuters) Tamil Tiger rebels said today Sri Lankan troops were trying to breach the ''border'' that separates their territory in the northern Jaffna peninsula, as the worst fighting since a 2002 truce spread in the east.

''They are firing artillery and trying to breach our borders,'' Tiger military spokesman Rasiah Ilanthiraiyan told Reuters by telephone from the northern rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi. ''They are trying to thrust towards Kilinochchi, so our soldiers are retaliating.

The military had no immediate comment.

REUTERS DKB VC1825