At least 20 people, including 12 children, two pregnant women, and a police officer, were killed in a rebel attack in Vugizo, near Burundi's border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Nine others were injured and hospitalized.

The attack happened on Friday evening and was carried out by the RED-Tabara rebel group, which has fought Burundi’s government from bases in eastern DRC since 2015. The group claimed responsibility on social media, saying they killed nine soldiers and a police officer but denied targeting civilians.

Witnesses reported hearing gunfire and explosions as the attackers, dressed in Burundian Army uniforms, struck nine homes. Security forces reportedly fled, leaving residents to defend themselves.

The rebels also targeted a military post, and civilians were caught in the crossfire before the attackers retreated to DRC. This was RED-Tabara's second attack in two weeks, marking a return of their activity inside Burundi after two years of operating in the DRC.

President Évariste Ndayishimiye urged the army, police, and intelligence officers to stay alert, warning that threats to security remain constant.

source: aljazeera