The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was a militant group that operated in Sri Lanka until 2009. There are various synonyms used for the LTTE, including Tamil Tigers, the Tigers, and the Eelam Tigers. Other names have also been used, such as the World Tamil Association and the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization. The group was often identified by its distinctive symbol, a snarling tiger, which was used on its flags, websites, and other propaganda materials. Despite its name, the LTTE was not solely made up of ethnic Tamils, but also included members from other communities in Sri Lanka.