Bukinanyana: Rwandan rebels killed, others arrested

A few days ago, fighting pitted Burundian army soldiers against gunmen. Clashes took place in the Kibira natural reserve in the districts of Bukinanyana and Mabayi (province of Cibitoke, northwest Burundi). INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Local sources report at least seven rebels killed, several injured and finally four arrests.

According to witnesses, the violence of the fighting caused a movement of panic in the population.

“The fighting was intense. Burundian soldiers surprised Rwandan rebels who defended themselves. There are already seven corpses and four assailants arrested”, say eyewitnesses.

Leaks

Military sources, on condition of anonymity, say they received the order to dislodge rebels.

And they add, “However, there was a leak of information. We are confident that they have been briefed on our plan of attack, which does not help intelligence services to guide operations on the ground”, they regret.

Panic

Several families had to flee their households, fearing for their security, we learned. The administrator of Bukinanyana asked inhabitants to denounce collaborators of the rebels.

A military official insisted the situation was “under control” without commenting on the fighting reported by local sources.

The fighting was reported between November 12 and 16.