Colombian officials say 7 children were killed in an airstrike against a rebel group this week

BOGOTA: Colombia’s human rights ombudswoman said Saturday that seven children were killed in a controversial airstrike against a rebel group in the country’s south earlier this week, as the administration of President Gustavo Petro steps up efforts to regain control of rural areas in Guaviare province. In a statement, ombudswoman Iris Marin said the minors killed in the strike against the FARC-EMC rebel group had been forcibly recruited and were being used as “human shields.” Marin called on the Colombian government and rebel groups in the country to respect international humanitarian law.

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