The Burundian National Defense Forces (FDNB) have announced that they recently killed over 100 rebels from the MRCD/FLN group, which opposes the Rwandan government.
According to the FDNB, the rebels were killed during clashes in Kibira Forest, located in Cibitoke Province.
Reports indicate that the Burundian army decided to attack the FLN group after it refused to join forces with Burundi in military operations currently underway in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in battles against armed groups including M23.
The Burundian military viewed FLN’s refusal to cooperate as an act of betrayal.
It is reported that the more than 100 rebels were killed in two major operations carried out between March and May this year in Kibira.
SOS Médias Burundi also reports that about ten Burundian soldiers died during the fighting.
A Burundian army officer with the rank of Captain described the assault: “We surrounded their base at night. They were heavily armed but disorganized. We used the element of surprise to kill them.”
Heavy fighting reportedly took place between March 8–9 and May 3–4, 2025.
In addition to those killed, about 30 rebels were captured and taken to Bujumbura for interrogation. Many others were found wounded in the forest.
The army also seized nine Kalashnikov rifles, two pistols, and a large quantity of ammunition.
The captured rebels admitted they had left eastern DRC after defying orders to support military operations led by the coalition of the Congolese army (FARDC), FDLR, and Burundian troops.
A senior Burundian military officer, speaking anonymously, said: “Their refusal was seen as treason. We gave them a deadline. They chose to flee to Kibira.”
The mayor of Mabayi Commune, Jeanne Izomporera, confirmed the fighting and said the rebels’ bodies were buried quickly for public health reasons.
The Burundian army says it is determined to continue attacking the FLN until it is completely eradicated.
The FLN is the armed wing of the MRCD opposition coalition led by Paul Rusesabagina. Between 2018 and 2019, the group carried out deadly attacks in Rwanda’s Southern and Western provinces, killing several civilians.
Burundi’s attack comes after reports last year that the two sides had previously held meetings to explore joint operations against Rwanda.
