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Zaire rebels claim seizure of key town
December 25, 1996
Web posted at: 2:30 p.m. EST (1930 GMT)GOMA, Zaire (CNN) -- Zairean rebel leader Laurent Kabila said on Wednesday his forces had captured the key northeastern town of Bunia, killing 300 government troops. "The town is completely under our control," Kabila said at his lakeside villa in the city of Goma.
The rebels previously said they had taken several towns still in government hands and the Christmas Day claim could not be independently verified. Kabila declined to give details of casualties on his own side.
The fall of Bunia, 360 km (220 miles) north of Goma, would hold great strategic significance because it is a major junction, has a tarmac airstrip and was heavily reinforced by troops.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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- Mobutu moves to salvage control in Zaire - December 19, 1996
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