Gunmen from Burundi attacked a Rwanda military position – says RDF

RDF says that assailants left behind military equipment marked “FORCE DE DEFENSE NATIONALE DU BURUNDI” (Burundi Armed Forces).

Kigali: Today early morning at about 0020hrs, approximately 100 unidentified gunmen heavily armed with machine guns, rocket launchers and grenades attacked an RDF defensive position with intention to kill civilians in Yanze IDP Model village,  the Rwandan military said.

The village is located about 1000m from the Burundi Border in Ruheru Sector, Nyaruguru District in Southern Rwanda. The attack lasted 20-30 minutes.

According to the Military Spokesperson, Lt Col Innocent Munyengango, the RDF(Rwanda Defense Forces) engaged the attackers who withdrew back to Burundi.

“The gunmen attacked from Burundi and they fled back in the same direction towards Burundi military position at Gihisi, Commune Bukinanyana, Cibitoke province. Assailants left behind four of their dead, military equipment that include weapons and communication radios, and dry rations marked “FORCE DE DEFENSE NATIONALE DU BURUNDI” (Burundi Armed Forces).

Three of the attackers were also captured. Three RDF soldiers sustained minor injuries. We reassure Rwandans that action will be taken against those responsible. We are pursuing, through diplomatic channels, precise information about these repeated attacks.” (End)