COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, May 11, SPA -- New fighting near the TamilTiger rebels' stronghold in northern Sri Lanka left 18insurgents dead, the military said Sunday. A military official said the clashes occurred Saturday inthe northern Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar and Welioya regions. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity becauseof government rules, said a few soldiers were wounded inthe battles. Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan was not immediatelyavailable for comment, the Associated Press reported.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/554723