Rebels say 11 soldiers, two rebels killed

Rebels of the Forces nationales pour la liberation (FNL) said that they have killed at least 11 soldiers in the last five days during fighting around Bujumbura, the Associated Press reported. Two of their own have been killed in the battle, AP quoted FNL spokesman Anicet Ntawuhiganayo as saying on Wednesday. According to him, there was fighting in nine districts north and west of Bujumbura. The rebels captured eight assault rifles, a heavy machine gun and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. “At least 11 soldiers were killed as each weapon was carried by a soldier,” he said. AP quoted army spokesman Colonel Augustin Nzabampema as saying that the army was conducting “routine military operations” around Bujumbura adding that the situation was “quite good”. It also quoted residents as saying that mortar and gunfire reverberated in the hills around Bujumbura on Wednesday and that thousands had been forced to flee their homes.