World · Latin America · 19 hrs ago
Drone attack on Colombian base kills three soldiers
A drone attack struck a Colombian military base in Santa Rosa del Sur, in the north of the country.
Three soldiers were killed, but accounts differ on the number wounded: the army said at least eight, while another account said 16.
Authorities have not identified who carried out the attack, which hit an area disputed by the Gulf Clan, the ELN and smaller armed groups.
Violence has increased in rural Colombia since President Abelardo de la Espriella took office in August and cancelled peace talks with rebel groups.
His government says armed groups used earlier ceasefires to strengthen their control, while those groups have stepped up attacks on security forces.
Smaller groups are fighting for former FARC territory since a 2016 peace deal led more than 14,000 fighters to demobilise.
Explosive attacks rose 9 percent in a recent four-week period compared with the same period’s average last year, according to ACLED; authorities have not said what action will follow this strike.
A drone attack on a military base in Santa Rosa del Sur, northern Colombia, killed three soldiers.
Reports differ on the number of wounded: Al Jazeera said at least 16, while AP said at least eight.
Authorities have not said who carried out the attack.
President Abelardo de la Espriella said those behind it would have nowhere to hide.
The attack comes amid increased violence in rural areas and a series of attacks on security forces.
- Who
- Three soldiers were killed. Authorities have not identified who carried out the attack.
- What
- A drone attack hit a military base; reports said at least eight or at least 16 people were wounded.
- When
- Saturday, November 7, according to AP; the articles do not give a separate attack date.
- Where
- A military base in Santa Rosa del Sur, in northern Colombia.
- Why
- Not stated. The area is disputed by armed groups, but authorities have not said who carried out the attack.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
De la Espriella took office, and violence intensified in several rural areas.
State forces and illegal armed groups carried out 34 attacks with bombs or explosives, a 9 percent increase on the previous year’s four-week average.
A military base in Tolima province was attacked with missiles made from gas canisters, killing four civilians.
A drone attack hit the base in Santa Rosa del Sur, killing three soldiers.
- Deaths
- 3 soldiers
- Wounded
- At least 16 according to Al Jazeera; at least 8 according to AP
- Attack location
- Santa Rosa del Sur, northern Colombia
- Explosions
- 3
- Armed-group attacks
- 34 bomb or explosive attacks in the four weeks ending October 16
- Increase
- 9 percent above the previous year’s four-week average
3 sources
What people are saying
Those who were behind this attack… will have nowhere to hide
Every attack against our soldiers strengthens our resolve to defend Colombia.