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Army stormed rebel positions around Bujumbura

Country Map - Burundi IRIN
The actions by the UN agencies are in response to pleas from local administrative officials, in two localities near Cibitoke town.
    NAIROBI

    Government troops, backed by heavy artillery and helicopters, stormed rebel positions around Bujumbura Rural on Tuesday in a bid to "flush them out", army spokesman Augustin Nzabampema told IRIN.

    The troops attacked the rebel-controlled hills of Mbare, Gasarara and Kirombwe overlooking the capital, Bujumbura, Colonel Nzabampema said on Thursday. "The attacks continued until yesterday, but today [Thursday] it is quiet," he said, adding that it difficult to say how long "peace" would hold.

    A diplomat in Bujumbura told IRIN that the rebels had withdrawn from the Rukoko valley and Kibira forest, northwest of the capital, into the hills after government troops defeat them in Tenga forest in November 2001. He said that acts of banditry and armed robbery had increased "tremendously" in and around the capital - some perpetrated in "broad daylight".

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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