Burundi: RED-Tabara group attack at Bujumbura airport

Bujumbura International Airport was attacked by rebels during the night of September 18-19, 2021. © Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0 Stefan Krasowski

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An attack targeted, on the night of Saturday 18 to Sunday 19 September, the Bujumbura airport in Burundi from where President Évariste Ndayishimiye was to take off for New York where he is to participate next week in the annual general meeting of the 'UN.

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The attack took place that night at around 11 p.m., an attack claimed shortly after by the Burundian rebel group of the Resistance for the Rule of Law in Burundi (RED-Tabara).

This spectacular attack did little to damage.

At least three 60mm mortar shells hit Melchior-Ndadaye International Airport northwest of Bujumbura.

Shots that were heard even in the city center located about ten kilometers away.

According to sources on the spot, two shells exploded causing damage described as "

 minimal 

", the third did not explode.

And this had no impact on air traffic since the first flight expected at this airport this morning, a Kenya Airways plane landed practically on time.

An attack on the eve of the presidential departure for New York

It is no coincidence that the attack took place last night.

The RED-Tabara rebels linked their attack with the departure of President Évariste Ndayishimiye this Sunday evening for New York where he will participate in the UN General Assembly which is to take place this week.

On the Burundian authorities side, it is radio silence.

A senior army officer believes that it is a communication operation on the part of the rebels of RED-Tabara,

accused of being at the origin of numerous attacks

and deadly ambushes since the crisis of 2015. As a result, none journalist, no local media has dared to mention this incident so far.

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  • Évariste Ndayishimiye

  • Burundi

  • Terrorism