June: List of Events

A description of June events and weekly maps can be found here

June 1

Interahamwe (increasingly used to fight RPA) begins questioning whether FAR is unable or unwilling to defeat the RPA

-FAR still holding onto parts of Mt Jali

-New wave of intense fighting on the frontline with Alpha CMF pushing in Kimihurura

June 2

-RPA’s 59 and 21 CMF focused intensely on infiltrating Nyamirambo along with increased rescue operations

-Alpha CMF makes gains in Gikondo

-Increased use of Interahamwe militias as soldiers as more FAR soldiers abandoned their posts

June 3

-FAR’s departure from the frontline is productive not only for the close combat but also for RPA operations and tactics.

-RPA is increasing its (Alpha CMF) concentration on encircling Camp Kimihurura

-RPA continues rescue operations in FAR territory

June 4

-RPA’s Alpha CMF is concentrated on encircling Camp Kimihurura (Republican Guard)

-FAR holds on to southwestern but being pushed back in central (Gikondo) Kigali

-Frontlines do not move much, but RPA is preparing for later operations

June 5

-RPA captured most of Gikondo with only minor pockets of resistance

-RPA’s Andrew Kagame (Tiger/59 CMF commander) begins attacking Mt Kigali

-Kigali Airport closed because of shelling

-FAR is low in weapons/ammunition

June 6

-FAR attempted a counter-offensive south of Kigali. However, the forces encountered companies from the 101, 7 and 157 CMF. The counter-offensive failed, with soldiers abandoning their positions to flee towards Gitarama and Gisenyi

June 7

-RPA’s 21 CMF captures the Gaddafi Mosque in Nyamirambo

-FAR attempts to recapture Mt Rebero, suspecting the 21 CMF is supplied from the hill

-RPA’s 59 and Bravo CMF hold onto Mt Rebero

-Heavy fighting in other parts of Kigali

June 8

-The heavy combat continues in the Nyamirambo and Gatsata neighborhoods

-Republican Guard holding off Alpha CMF at the front line by Kimihurura Circle

-RPA continues rescue operations as 59 and 21 CMF inch closer to the city center

June 9

-FAR fired artillery/mortars against RPA’s Bravo CMF at Gisozi

-RPA pushed into Kibugiza and repelled a FAR attack on Gikondo

-Firefights continue in Kimihurura Circle, Gaddafi Crossing and Gatsata

-FAR shell hits UNAMIR headquarters in Kisimenti

June 10

-FAR recaptures Gatsata neighborhood in western Kigali

-RPA’s 59 and 21 CMF pushing deeper into Nyamirambo

-New prisoner exchange (Rwandan refugees for FAR military families/captured soldiers)

-Very low morale in the FAR forces

June 11

-Morning fire exchange on frontlines

-Heavy combat in western Kigali

-The RPA continued to shell Mt Kigali, with the Bravo CMF trying to flank Camp Kacyiru by striking at the current Kigali National Library

-RPA’s 101 and 157 CMF are fighting FAR forces in Gitarama

June 12

-Bravo CMF (under Gen Kayonga) plans for St Paul rescue operations

-Fighting continues at Kimihurura Circle, Nyamirambo, the city center and Kimisagara

-RPA’s 21 CMF continued to make inroads in the Islamic neighborhood of Nyamirambo

June 13

-The Genocide regime capital of Gitarama falls to RPA’s 101, 157 CMF and other companies

-RPA’s 59 and 21 CMF push greater into Nyamirambo

-Fighting is intense at Kimihurura Circle between Republican Guards and Alpha CMF

-RPA Rescue operations continue

June 14

-Around 70 are killed at St Paul

-RPA’s Bravo CMF commanders (Charles Kayonga and his aid Jacob Tumwine) are finalizing their rescue plans for St Paul

-Intense fighting at Mt Kigali with Andrew Kagame’s companies clearing out Interahamwe

June 15

-RPA’s 21 and 59 CMF captured half of the Nyamirambo neighborhood.

-Intense fighting on the frontline of Hotel Meridien and Kimihurura Circle

-RPA clean-up (finding remaining Interahamwe) operations in Gikondo (by RPA’s Alpha CMF) and Bugesera (by RPA’s 101 CMF)

June 16

-RPA’s Bravo CMF finishes its prep for the upcoming St Paul rescue

-RPA’s Alpha CMF (under Caesar Kayizari) experiences heavy fighting at Mburabuturo

-FAR attempts a new push to retake lost parts of Nyamirambo

Interahamwe starts turning on the FAR

June 17

-RPA’s Bravo CMF at 1:00 am sends 3 platoons to rescue 2000+ Rwandans at St Paul. By 6:00 am, they reach the RPA-held Gisozi

Interahamwe respond by attacking refugee locations -RPA gains at Mt Kigali

-FAR are able to take some ground in Nyamirambo

June 18

-RPA takes Mt Mburabuturo after intense fighting

Interahamwe and FAR search for any remaining refugees from St Paul hiding in the Muhima’s marshlands

-RPA’s Bravo CMF close to full control (removal of remaining FAR and Interahamwe) over Mt Jali

June 19

-RPA began moving fresh supplies and recruits into Kigali

-FAR seemingly was removing their supplies and recruits as the focus became protecting the western cities of Gisenyi and Cyangugu

-RPA’s Bravo CMF presses more into western Kacyiru

June 20

-FAR fortify positions south of Camp Kacyiru, the northern half of Nyamirambo, the city center and Kimihurura.

-RPA shells at FAR commander General Bagasora’s compound at Hotel Diplomats

-UNAMIR returns to St Famille for a new round of evacuation

June 21

-France proposes Opération Turquoise

-Genocide government Prime Minister Jean Kambanda visits Nyakabanda to rally the FAR and Interahamwe

-RPA’s Alpha/Bravo CMF reach Village Urugwiro in Kacyiru

-FAR shells Gisozi from Kiyovu

-RPA Gen Paul Kagame orders 157 CMF towards Butare

June 22

-Alpha CMF launched a major offensive at Kimihurura Circle to encircle Camp Kimihurura

-Relative stalemate between forces at the Village Urugwiro

-RPA closed the airport, fearing a French attempt (like in 1993) to take Kigali under Opération Turquoise

June 23

Interahamwe accuse FAR of aiding the RPA’s military gains

-Fighting continues at Village Urugwiro

-FAR’s leadership begins to question whether France will fight the RPA under Opération Turquoise

-Opération Turquoise is still a morale boost for the FAR

June 24

Interahamwe hold a rally supporting France in the city center

-RPF holds a counter-rally in Kabuya

-France boosted FAR’s abilities/morale as FAR forces absorbed RPA’s new attacks in Kimihurura, Kacyiru, Nyamirambo and Village Urugwiro

June 25

-UNAMIR reports describe how Kiyovu (still genocide government-controlled) was decorated with French flags

-Fighting remains intense at Village Urugwiro

-RPA continues pushing into Biryogo and Nyamirambo

-RPA controls most of Kigali

June 26

-FAR’s morale drops as they realize France is not coming to fight against the RPA under Opération Turquoise

-RPA gains in Nyamirambo, but there are FAR and Interahamwe pockets of resistance

-New battles erupt close by the Hotel Des Mille Colline

June 27

-Similar confrontations and battles between FAR and RPA.

-RPA’s Bravo CMF continues its encirclement of Camp Kacyiru while the Alpha CMF begins to encircle Camp Kimihurura.

-Increased use of Interahamwe fighting alongside the FAR

June 28

-RPA worried about whether the French would resist the RPA’s advance, leading to the 157 CMF’s dash towards Butare

-FAR retreating from Kigali and replaced by Interahamwe at the frontlines

-RPA making progress in Kacyiru, Kimihurura and Kiyovu

June 29

-Continued fighting in Kacyiru, Village Urugwiro, Kimihurura Circle and Kiyovu city center

-FAR responded to the RPA’s pressure by attacking the Meridien hotel and the roundabout by the present-day UK High Commission with mortars and small arms

June 30

-RPA (Alpha CMF) continues to combat pockets of Interahamwe and FAR resistance in Gikondo

-Battles in Kiyovu intensify

-UNAMIR Romeo Dallaire separates French (Opération Turquoise) and RPA (157 CMF) forces near Butare