At least 13 "armed bandits" and a police officer were killed in clashes between an armed group and security forces in western Burundi, a local official and witnesses said on Monday. Sunday's unrest in Bujumbura-Rural province broke out when an armed group from Nyabiraba community entered the neighbouring Mutambu area where police were waiting for them, the official said.
Fighting took place on Nyankere Hill, where "13 corpses of armed bandits were found and another one of them was arrested", said Jean-Pierre Niyongabo, a local administrator. One police officer had been killed and a civilian and another police officer were injured, he added. The fighting broke out 30 kilometres (18 miles) east of Bujumbura, the country's economic capital, in a rural area with few roads, communications or electricity.
Niyongabo said none of the attackers were recognised by residents in Mutambu. Two witnesses also confirmed the clashes, saying some Imbonerakure, or members of the youth league of the ruling CNDD-FDD ruling party, were in ranks alongside the police.
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