Gunmen Attack Military Bases in Burundi's Capital

A series of coordinated assaults was launched on military sites in Burundi's capital on Friday morning, with at least seven people killed in the worst violence in the African country since an attempted coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza in May.

Heavy gunfire and blasts erupted early on Friday and shots were still heard across the capital Bujumbura long after daybreak. Residents said the streets were empty at a time when people are normally heading to work. Police were out in force.

The deaths are the latest in a wave of violence convulsing Burundi which has raised fears the African nation may be sliding back into ethnic conflict after emerging in 2005 from a 12-year civil war.

Related: It's Been Two Months Since Burundi's Election and People Keep Getting Assassinated

Night-time gunfire and sporadic blasts have become common in Bujumbura during a crisis sparked in April by President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term, which opponents — often known as 'Sindumuja' — said violated a deal that ended a civil war in 2005. Nkurunziza won a disputed election in July.

Residents said Friday's flare-up was much more intense.

"Sindumuja tried to attack military camps but they failed," presidential media adviser Willy Nyamitwe wrote on Twitter, describing the raids as "a diversion" to try to free prisoners.

"Situation is returning to normal as firearms are seized, many Sindumuja assailants killed or arrested," he wrote.

Alongside the raid on Ngagara camp in the north of Bujumbura, two southern sites were attacked, namely Muha camp and ISCAM, a higher education institute for officers, soldiers and residents said.

Civil society groups say more than 240 people have been killed since the unrest began in April after Nkurunziza said he would seek a third term in office.

Related: Burundi's President Tells His Citizens to Give Up Their Guns — Or Else

Till now, battle lines in Burundi's crisis have followed the political divide, but Western powers and regional nations fear old ethnic rifts could reopen if violence continues unchecked.

Burundi's 12-year civil war had pitted rebel groups of the Hutu majority, including one led by Nkurunziza, against what was then an army led by the Tutsi minority. Rwanda has the same ethnic mix.

Watch On The Line: Danny Gold Discusses Burundi's Controversial Presidential Elections

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