An attack involving explosives dropped from drones on a military compound in northeastern Colombia has killed at least 3 soldiers and wounded 4. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
The attack occurred late Friday on a military unit in the municipality of Ocaña, in the Norte de Santander department bordering Venezuela. Local authorities blamed the rebel National Liberation Army (ELN). According to Colombia's military, two soldiers died at the site and a third after receiving medical attention.
President Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the attack, saying: "For every police officer or soldier murdered, we will bring the full weight and legitimate force of the State down upon the criminals."
The ELN, an armed group active since 1964, is largely based in the Catatumbo region, which includes parts of Norte de Santander and Cesar departments. The region also harbors dissident factions of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that did not join the peace agreement a decade ago. Both groups are vying for control of the strategic region, which borders Venezuela and is one of Colombia's primary coca-producing areas.
In August, an explosion outside a police station in Cucuta injured 11 police officers and killed a police dog. Officials also blamed that attack on the ELN. Earlier this week, at least one civilian was killed and 11 others injured after a car bomb exploded outside a police station in northeastern Colombia.