April 18, 2008, 13:30
Rebels from Burundi's last active guerrilla group fired mortar bombs at government positions in clashes that killed 10 rebels and four soldiers, an army spokesperson said today.
The fighting, which started late yesterday and continued into this morning, was centered on the rebel stronghold of Bubanza some 50 km northwest of the capital Bujumbura, the military's deputy spokesman Colonel Justace Ciza said.
Despite a 2006 peace deal, the rebel Forces for National Liberation (FNL) have continued to mount sporadic attacks after talks to implement the accord were suspended last July when the FNL quit a truce monitoring team, accusing mediators of bias.
Attacked from all sides
"FNL rebels shelled mortar bombs and threw hand grenades on our different positions but we retaliated," Ciza said. "We deplore the death of four soldiers. On the rebel side, 10 of them were killed, and five guns seized."
A spokesperson for the Hutu fighters denied the report and accused the army of provocation. "We were attacked by government troops who were deployed in a large number to our different positions. This was self- defense," said FNL spokesperson Pasteur Habimana from Dar Es Salaam.
Last month, 20 people, mainly soldiers and rebels, were killed in fighting on the outskirts of Bujumbura. - Reuters
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