Military Bases Attacked In Burundi; 12 Killed

At least 15 people have been killed Friday in Burundi capital Bujumbura at around 4 a.m. when gunmen stormed three military sites.

According to Colonel Gaspard Baratuza, twenty-one arrests have been made along with arms and explosives. At least three soldiers have been killed in the coordinated attacks and five have been injured.

The unidentified attackers were dressed in civilian clothing. They stormed two bases in Bujumbura and one in the countryside. Civilians were terrified wiht the gunfire and explosions, and remained mainly indoors.

Residents said roadblocks were set up by the police in several parts of the city and only police vehicles could be seen on the deserted streets of the capital.

A resident of Nyakabiga neighborhood, Claire Biguda, said they don’t know what was happing in the streets and everyone has locked up inside their house amid stray bullet hitting walls of houses.

The International Committee of the Red Cross tweeted they are unable to get out on streets and allowed to provide assistance.

Burundi has witnessed civil war for about twelve years that ended a decade ago in 2005. Violence has been continued after President Pierre Nkurunziza seeked for a third term in office.