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Colombian Military Compound Attacked by Drones, Killing at Least Three Soldiers
Confirmed
In Short: Colombian authorities blame the National Liberation Army (ELN) for an attack involving drones that killed at least three soldiers and wounded several more at a military compound in Norte de Santander.
Colombian authorities have reported that at least three soldiers were killed and several others injured in an attack on a military compound by an armed group that included drones used to drop explosives, according to Al Jazeera. The attack, which took place in the municipality of Ocana, was carried out by the ELN, the rebel group based in the northeastern Catatumbo region.
President Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the attack, stating, 'For every police officer or soldier you kill, I will bring down on you the full weight and legitimate force of the State.' The attack reportedly involved at least 20 drones loaded with explosives, as cited by an unnamed security official from AFP.
The Colombian army confirmed that two soldiers died at the site and a third died after receiving medical attention. The attack took place in the department of Norte de Santander, where the ELN is based, and has continued to rattle the country since de la Espriella's inauguration, according to Al Jazeera.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- De la Espriella won office pledging to return Colombia to militarised confrontation with armed groups and criminal organisations that have jostled for influence across the country, despite concerns that it could lead to surging violence and possible rights abuses.
- A Russian drone has hit the headquarters of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) during a strike in the heart of Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
- It suggests Russia's new drones are growing in accuracy and signals Moscow could step up strikes before possible US mediation talks this weekend.
- Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said the attack was a "major escalation that demands resolute responses".
- Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said five people had been hurt in the SBU attack, but did not elaborate on whether they were inside the offices.
- "The drone was aimed directly at the office of the Head of the Security Service in that building," Zelensky confirmed.
- In Zaporizhzhia, a Russian FPV drone struck and damaged a cargo truck, injuring a 37-year-old woman, according to Ivan Fedorov, co-chair of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Defense Council.
- At least 10 people were killed in a fuel tanker blast in western Iran, Iranian national broadcast media (IRIB) reported.