Suicide donkey bomb kills soldier, wounds two others in northeastern Colombia

A soldier was killed and two others injured in a deadly explosion in northeastern Colombia, after a bomb strapped to a donkey detonated near military personnel.

The attack occurred on July 9 during a special operation conducted by rebel forces, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The National Liberation Army (ELN)—a guerrilla group with an estimated 6,000 fighters—claimed responsibility for the incident.

Rebels reportedly used the donkey as a suicide bomber, attaching the explosive device to the animal. When the donkey approached the soldiers, the device detonated, killing the platoon commander and injuring two others.

The ELN has stepped up its attacks following the Colombian government’s decision to suspend peace talks. Authorities accuse the group of being responsible for more than 100 deaths during recent raids along the Venezuelan border.

In January, dozens of people were killed in Colombia's northeast region following failed attempts to hold peace talks with the ELN. Later that month, Colombia's government announced a $700,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of four leaders of the rebel group.

By Khagan Isayev