110 Slain by Hutu Rebels, Army Says

Hutu rebels armed with machetes and clubs hacked to death at least 110 people in attacks northwest of Kigali, the capital, a Rwandan army commander said. The attackers, who included residents from the area, burned down a local official’s house, Col. Fred Ibingira said. Wallis Gasamagera, the top official in a Kigali prefecture, said the local Hutu population had asked for guns to defend themselves against Hutu rebel attacks. Gasamagera said people recognized some of the attackers and had captured one. Soldiers in the area were searching for the rebels, who rely on the majority Hutu population for food, shelter and money. But Hutus have increasingly complained of rebel harassment and have often sought army protection.