Twenty-four ethnic Hutu rebels were killed and three soldiers wounded today when the army repulsed a rebel attack on the outskirts of the Burundi capital Bujumbura.
"Twenty-four FNL (National Liberation Forces) were killed and we deplore that three soldiers were wounded," said army spokesman Colonel Augustin Nzabampema.
Other sources who requested anonymity said they believed at least two soldiers had been killed near a water tower in the northeast of the capital.
"The rebel attacked has been repulsed and our troops have launched a pursuit operation against the enemy," the army spokesman added.
Four civilians were reported to have sustained bullet wounds, and two South African members of a military protection force were earlier reported to have been wounded.
AFP