The FNL offensive that began July 7 continued with a variety of attacks around Bujumbura. A report on July 18 said that at least 300 combatants (troops and rebels) had died in the fighting between July 7 and July 17. On July 17 the Burundi government issued a statement that said African Union peacekeepers might need a wider mandate for operations. That could mean the AU forces would get directly involved in field operations against the FNL.