The Eelam War refers to a series of conflicts in Sri Lanka between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a militant organization seeking an independent Tamil state called Eelam. The war spanned from 1983 to 2009 and was marked by intense violence, human rights violations, and significant loss of life on both sides. The conflict arose from ethnic tensions between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority, fueled by issues of discrimination and political representation. The war ended in May 2009 when the Sri Lankan military defeated the LTTE, leading to a controversial and complex aftermath regarding reconciliation and accountability.