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Burundi crisis: Military bases attacked in Bujumbura | Burundi crisis: Military bases attacked in Bujumbura |
(35 minutes later) | |
Heavily armed attackers have launched co-ordinated assaults on at least two army barracks in Burundi. | |
Eight people, including some attackers, have reportedly been killed in Bujumbura, the capital. | |
Witnesses described hearing gunfire and explosions for several hours, in Musaga in the south and Ngagara in the north. | Witnesses described hearing gunfire and explosions for several hours, in Musaga in the south and Ngagara in the north. |
The incident is the worst violence since an attempted coup in May, sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza's third-term bid. | The incident is the worst violence since an attempted coup in May, sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza's third-term bid. |
UN officials have recently accused both government and opposition figures of stirring up ethnic tension between Hutus and Tutsis, amid fears of a return to genocide. | |
Bujumbura residents have taken cover at home and are too frightened to go to work or send their children to school, reports the BBC's Prime Ndikumagenga from the city. | Bujumbura residents have taken cover at home and are too frightened to go to work or send their children to school, reports the BBC's Prime Ndikumagenga from the city. |
The attacks are the first on military targets since the coup attempt, he says. | The attacks are the first on military targets since the coup attempt, he says. |
The neighbourhoods where the attacks occurred are seen as opposition strongholds, correspondents say. | |
It is not clear who is behind the attacks but a presidential adviser said that government opponents had been trying to create a diversion to free prisoners. | |
The adviser, Willy Nyamitwe, said the insurgents had failed, describing them as Sindjuma, meaning "I am not a slave". | |
Mr Nkurunziza won a disputed election in July. | Mr Nkurunziza won a disputed election in July. |
At least 240 people have been killed since April. More than 200,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries, the UN says. | |
In recent months, there have been daily killings of both opposition activists and Nkurunziza supporters. | |
Timeline | |
April 2015 - Protests erupt after President Pierre Nkurunziza announces he will seek a third term in office. | |
May 2015 - Constitutional court rules in favour of Mr Nkurunziza, amid reports of judges being intimidated. Tens of thousands flee violence amid protests. | |
May 2015 - Army officers launch a coup attempt, which fails. | |
July 2015 - Elections are held, with Mr Nkurunziza re-elected. The polls are disputed, with opposition leader Agathon Rwasa describing them as a "joke". | |
November 2015 - UN warns it is less equipped to deal with violence in Burundi than it was for the Rwandan genocide |