At least nine soldiers were killed in clashes with armed militants in southeastern Colombia.Colombian media, citing military sources, reported that the clashes took place in the Guaviare Department, which led to the kidnapping of 10 soldiers as well.Various groups, which are dissidents of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), remain active in the region. These groups rejected the 2016 peace agreement and are suspected of carrying out armed attacks.Over the past two weeks, 18 soldiers and police officers have been killed in separate attacks across Colombia, according to local media reports.Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned and strongly rejected the killings of police officers and soldiers, in a post on the social media platform X.Despite improvements in security following the 2016 peace agreement between Colombia and the largest guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), parts of the country are still under the control of illegal armed groups
