New hostilities broke out between the Burundian Red-Tabara rebels and the FDNB (Burundi National Defense Force) between December 5 and 7. The rebels announced that they had recovered several positions of the Burundian army and its allies.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The fighting took place in Tabunde. It is in the Lulenge sector, in Fizi territory in the province of South Kivu, eastern Congo. In these clashes, the Burundian army was supported by the Mayi-Mayi Yakutumba and the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo), according to our sources.

The rebels said they had attacked the Burundian army, taken control of their positions and recovered several weapons and ammunition.

Residents confirmed to SOS Médias Burundi that the FDNB elements deserted their camps in Tabunde, Kabundabwami, Lubwebwe and Mutanoga.

« They retreated towards
Kabanju, Kuku and Malinge in the Lulenge and Itombwe sectors, » they say.

Thousands of residents fled their homes following these hostilities. They headed towards localities considered more secure in the Lulenge sector or the forests, others went to the Itombwe sector.

The Burundian army and its allies had not yet communicated on these new fighting. But a few days ago, a spokesperson for the FDNB had denounced a document from the rebellion that reported the death of several Burundian soldiers in fighting in the same area, including officers.

Since last August, several fights have been reported between the Burundian army and its allies and the Red-Tabara rebels in the Fizi and Mwenga territories in the province of South Kivu, bordering Burundi.

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An aerial view of the locality of Minembwe in the territory of Fizi where hostilities between the Burundian military and the Red-Tabara rebels are reported (SOS Médias Burundi)