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Colombia forces 'bomb Farc rebels, 20 killed' | Colombia forces 'bomb Farc rebels, 20 killed' |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 20 Farc rebels have been killed in Colombia after the military launched bombing strikes on one of their camps, the army says. | At least 20 Farc rebels have been killed in Colombia after the military launched bombing strikes on one of their camps, the army says. |
It is said to be the biggest military operation against the group since peace talks began in Oslo on October. | It is said to be the biggest military operation against the group since peace talks began in Oslo on October. |
The camps were in Narino province near the Ecuadorian border, commander Gen Leonardo Barrero told AFP news agency. | The camps were in Narino province near the Ecuadorian border, commander Gen Leonardo Barrero told AFP news agency. |
The strike comes as President Juan Manuel Santos said the rebels had less than a year to abandon their weapons. | The strike comes as President Juan Manuel Santos said the rebels had less than a year to abandon their weapons. |
Mr Santos said the government would offer all necessary guarantees so the Farc could disarm and join the political process. | Mr Santos said the government would offer all necessary guarantees so the Farc could disarm and join the political process. |
"This has to be a process of months, rather than years," he said. | |
Mr Santos said any attempts to delay disarming were unacceptable. The Farc has not responded to Mr Santos' deadline. | |
He made his comments after the rebel group acknowledged that it was holding what it called "prisoners of war", contradicting its previous denials. | He made his comments after the rebel group acknowledged that it was holding what it called "prisoners of war", contradicting its previous denials. |
In February, the rebels announced that they would stop all political abductions and kidnappings for ransom. But victims' groups say the kidnappings have continued and not all hostages have been released. | |
The peace talks between the Colombian and the Farc began in Norway on 18 October before moving to Cuba's capital, Havana, a month later. | |
The first stage of the dialogue aimed at ending five decades of conflict ended last Thursday. The talks are due to resume on Wednesday. | |
All previous attempts to reach a deal have failed. | |
The government ended the last peace talks in 2002, accusing the rebels of trying to regroup in a demilitarised zone. | |
According to government estimates, 600,000 people have died since the conflict began in Colombia, with millions more displaced. | According to government estimates, 600,000 people have died since the conflict began in Colombia, with millions more displaced. |
The Farc numbered 16,000 in 2001 but are now thought to have some 8,000 fighters. | The Farc numbered 16,000 in 2001 but are now thought to have some 8,000 fighters. |