A drone attack on a military base in northern Colombia has killed three soldiers and wounded at least 16, Al Jazeera reported.
The strike targeted a base in Santa Rosa del Sur, near the San Lucas mountains. Authorities have not identified those responsible.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered security forces to intensify operations to locate and capture the perpetrators.
Santa Rosa del Sur lies in a gold-mining region where the Gulf Clan, the National Liberation Army, and factions formed by former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) members compete for territory and control of revenue streams.
Attacks on Security Forces
The incident comes amid a series of attacks against Colombian military and police installations.
Earlier this month, an assault involving projectiles made from gas cylinders targeted a military base in Tolima department, killing four civilians, including a two-month-old baby.
Police in Cúcuta, near the Venezuelan border, have also faced repeated attacks involving remotely detonated explosives.
Conflict-monitoring organization ACLED recorded 34 attacks involving bombs or explosives by state forces and armed groups between September and October.
Following the deployment of 500 soldiers to Cúcuta later that month, ACLED warned that military operations could trigger retaliatory attacks in the city.
Violence has increased in several rural regions since de la Espriella took office in August and ended peace negotiations with armed groups.
His government has expanded airstrikes and troop deployments while establishing joint task forces to protect strategic infrastructure.
The administration argued that ceasefires under the previous government allowed armed groups to expand their territorial control and increase revenue from drug trafficking and extortion.
Colombia’s 2016 peace agreement with FARC led to the demobilization of more than 14,000 fighters. However, other armed organizations and dissident factions have continued fighting for control of territories once held by the guerrilla group.
