He attributed the population displacement to "the rebels forcing the civilian population to move along" as the battle front advanced.

BBC: Sri Lanka images 'prove damage'

High Commissioner for Refugees has said the Iraqi refugee crisis is the most significant population displacement in the Middle East since Israel was established in 1948.

CNN: Report: World ignoring Iraqi refugee crisis

It would be difficult to say exactly what caused the population displacement or who might be responsible for the damage from the images, according to the report.

BBC: Sri Lanka images 'prove damage'

"By comparing before-and-after satellite images, we were able to see a significant movement of the region's human population, suggesting widespread displacement, " said Lars Bromley of the American Association of the Advancement of Science.

BBC: Sri Lanka images 'prove damage'