Colombia’s human rights ombudswoman said on Saturday that seven children were killed in a controversial air strike 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. The public defender had initially said that six minors were killed in the strike, but updated the death toll following a statement from Colombia’s Forensic Medicine institute.

“No child or teenager who has been recruited should be affected by military operations,” Marin said.

“The armed forces must adopt precautions to protect children who have been forced to take part in hostilities.”