Fresh violence in Moluccas
After a relatively peaceful few months, violence broke out again in the Moluccas last week. Hundreds of armed men arrived on the island in boats, and set fire to around 350 homes in the Christian village of Waimulang, on Buru Island, west of Ambon - the missionary news service reported on Friday. Three villagers were killed, and more than 13 soldiers brought in to quell the violence are missing, together a thousands villagers who fled into the jungle. The government have expressed 'grave concern' over the fate of the missing people. They say they will not be able to return home because the village is currently occupied by the invaders. Since clashes between Muslims and Christians began in January 1999 in the Moluccas, more than 8,000 people have lost their lives.