Africa: Burundi deaths rise to 284
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Troops were still combing the area around Burundi's Bujumbura airport yesterday as the death toll in a bloody rebel attack on Thursday rose to at least 284.
Army spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mamert Sinarinzi said that the dead included 180 civilians, 100 rebels and four Burundi army soldiers. An estimated 1,000 Hutu rebels launched the dawn attack near the village of Rukaramu, a few kilometres north of Bujumbura, the most daring assault on the Burundi capital since military ruler Pierre Buyoya seized power in an army coup in July 1996.
The attackers appeared to be part of a broader alliance of Burundian and Rwandan Hutu rebel groups, but most of the dead were former Rwandan army soldiers, Lt-Col Sinarinzi said. - Reuters, Nairobi
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments