Multiple gangs have launched attacks on several neighbourhoods in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, sparking a fresh wave of violence. The violent incidents involved gangs setting fire to homes and a church, while bullets flew through the air, causing chaos and fear among residents.
The attacks occurred in areas such as Solino, St. Michel, Tabarre 27, and others, with reports of at least one woman being killed. Panicked residents reached out to radio stations late on Thursday, seeking urgent assistance. A police union also issued a plea for help, stating that it had received information about multiple gunmen planning to invade Solino, emphasising the need for immediate action.
Haiti’s National Police spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comments on the situation. Radio Télé Métronome disclosed that the scheduled swearing-in of Haiti’s provisional electoral council on Friday had to be relocated to a safer location. The motive behind the recent spate of attacks remains unclear, coming shortly after a joint operation by Haitian and Kenyan police, under a U.N.-backed mission, resulted in the deaths of at least 20 suspected gang members in an area dominated by the 400 Mawozo gang, primarily operating in Tabarre.
Currently, gangs reportedly control 80% of Port-au-Prince, but some communities like Solino have been resisting efforts by armed groups to take control. The continuous violence in the region highlights the grim reality faced by many residents as they navigate through the dangerous landscape of gang warfare. The authorities are yet to provide concrete strategies to tackle the escalating violence plaguing the capital city and its citizens.