More than 110 people have been killed in clashes between soldiers and rebels in northern Burundi, army officials say.
About 200 rebels have clashed with security forces over the past few days in Cibitoke province, located about 60 kilometres north of Burundi's capital Bujumbura, Burundian army spokesman Gaspard Baratuza said.
The fighters, armed with assault rifles, mortars, rocket launchers and machine guns, are suspected to have come from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, another army source said on the condition of anonymity.
The rebels on Thursday attacked the town of Murwi, pushing on with their assault across the hills of Nyabubuye and Ngoma until they reached the town of Bukinanyana.