On April 2 the Burundi government reported an estimated 24,000 people fled from the Kibuye area to escape a series of firefights between FNL Hutu rebels and the Burundian Army. A temporary refugee camp has been set up near the town of Rushubi. The firefights have occurred over a three-week period. This suggests that the government may have launched another slow offensive in the region, a clearing operation to pinpoint and destroy rebel bases. On April 4 the Burundian Army said that the FNL had abandoned two command posts near Mbare and Gasarara (which are in Bujumbura province). A subsequent report identified these towns as Hutu areas that strongly support the FNL.