Four US officials and their families left Bujumbura for Nairobi yesterday morning as part of a temporary evacuation of non-essential staff.
On Monday, five US diplomats and four other officials from US agencies left Bujumbura for Washington, according to airport sources.
Rebels of the National Liberation Forces (FLN) fired shells on Bujumbura overnight. The Hutu group first began attacking Bujumbura on June 7, and since then more than 200 people have been killed in fighting.
The rebels shelled northwestern Gihosha neighbourhood shortly before midnight on Monday.
No injuries were reported following the attack.
The bombardment stopped after army forces fired back, said Jean de Dieu Niyonzima, an administrative leader in the area.
US embassy sources in the Burundi capital said those leaving would stay away for one or two weeks at least.
Normal embassy services were not expected to be affected.
The embassy, which has a staff of 50, has not said how many of these would be pulled out but unofficial sources said that less than 15 would remain in Bujumbura.
The US State Department has encouraged US citizens to leave Burundi while commercial flights were still available. - Sapa-AFP.
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