<
--------------
STRATFOR.com
--------------
THE INTERNET SOURCE FOR GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE
If it's in the news, it's too late...
Colombia: Government Moves To Retake DMZ
February 25, 2002
Summary
The Colombian military has begun air strikes against positions held by the country's main guerilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The military also is massing troops around the FARC-held demilitarized zone, and a ground invasion could quickly follow the current aerial bombardment. After three years of negotiations, Bogota has decided to cease talking and start fighting, but the FARC likely will fade into the jungle of the Switzerland-size DMZ while striking back with an urban bombing campaign.
Analysis
Colombia's air force and army launched an aggressive operation against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) soon after midnight Feb. 21 in a bid to retake the FARC-controlled demilitarized zone. Hours earlier, President Andres Pastrana called off peace negotiations, saying in an address to the nation, "This guerrilla group, with its actions and its attitude, has closed the door to a political solution.''
According to local reports, the first strikes of "Operation Thanatus" have consisted largely of air strikes against specifically targeted FARC positions within the 16,000-square-mile DMZ. Colombian daily El Tiempo reports that the air force has flown 200 sorties out of Apiay air base near Villavicencio, in Meta province, northeast of the DMZ.
Reports conflict as to the types of planes carrying out the assaults, though jets are reportedly carrying 250- and 500-pound bombs. Most likely, the air force is using Israeli-made Kfir C7 jets and French Dassault Mirage jets. Other counter-insurgency aircraft being used include OV-10 Broncos and TAC-47 Gunships, both twin-engine turboprop gunships that are more maneuverable at slow speeds and therefore more useful for ground attacks against insurgents. The military reportedly has a list of 85 targets including airstrips, military camps, areas of coca cultivation and roads built by guerrillas within the DMZ.
+++++++ NOTICE +++++++
This is an abbreviated version of a full-length STRATFOR report previously seen by our Members. To access STRATFOR's complete range of in-depth, objective intelligence and analysis on the globe, including our award-winning daily full text and graphics reports, click here and become a Member today!
->OR<-
Sign up here to receive our free daily briefing of important international events!
+++++++ NOTICE +++++++
(Story Source)
(c) 2002 Stratfor, Inc.
Dan
Current Events » in reply to Colombia: War . . . !
Colombia: Government Moves To Retake DMZ . . .