ARGELIA, Colombia, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Fighting between the Colombian rebel group FARC and the drug gang "Los Rastrojos" left at least 15 people dead, authorities said Friday.
Milton Benavides, a local government official, told the Terra news Web site the lengthy battle broke out Thursday in Argelia in northern Colombia. Benevides said authorities had confirmed nine people had died Thursday with six more killed overnight and Friday.
The Web site said local radio reported the death toll could rise to 20.
Meanwhile, Colombia Reports said El Tiempo reported FARC had released two more hostages -- Armando Acuna, a former councilman, Henry Lopez Martinez, a former marine. The pair were reunited with their families.
The BBC said FARC had freed another captive earlier in the week and may release two more Sunday.
The Colombian government has made release of all FARC hostages a pre-condition for any negotiations with the rebel group, which has been a thorn in the governments side for decades.
