COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, September 20, SPA -- Government soldiers and TamilTiger rebels fought a series of battles across Sri Lanka'swar-ravaged northern region, killing 26 rebels and onesoldier, the military said Saturday. Fighting on the Indian Ocean island has escalated inrecent weeks with government forces sweeping deep intorebel-held territory, capturing insurgent bases andthreatening to overrun the Tamil Tigers' administrativecapital at Kilinochchi. The latest infantry clashes took place Friday along thefront lines in Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Welioya and Jaffnadistricts, a military statement was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/591660