More than 20,000 civilians near Burundi's capital have been forced to flee their homes because of fighting between the army and Hutu rebels, a government official said today.
The clashes between government troops and the National Liberation Forces (FNL) took place over the past five days in Gisovu, about six miles from the capital Bujumumbura.
According to the official, 4,600 households, comprising about 23,000 people, have left the hills around Gisovu since the FNL attacked a military position on Saturday.
Most of them, especially the women and children, have been taken in by the inhabitants of nearby villages, he added.
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AFP