PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Gangs in Haiti have intensified their attacks, opening fire on a U.N. helicopter that was forced to make an emergency landing in Port-au-Prince on Thursday. Fortunately, there were no injuries among the three crew members and 15 passengers on board, despite several rounds of gunfire hitting the aircraft. The helicopter had just departed Port-au-Prince before being targeted but managed to land safely, according to an unconfirmed U.N. source.
This incident occurs five months after the reopening of Haiti’s main international airport, which had been closed for nearly three months due to coordinated gang attacks.
The violence has spread to surrounding areas, notably Arcahaie, where approximately 50 suspected gang members were killed this week during assaults on the coastal town located just northwest of the capital. Government officials reported that at least a dozen gunmen drowned when their boat capsized while transporting ammunition to gangs attacking Arcahaie.
Wilner Réné from Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency stated that the attack began on Monday, with gangs setting fire to homes and vehicles throughout Arcahaie. Upon running out of ammunition, the gunmen concealed themselves in nearby locations, only to be discovered by residents and police.
The situation remains precarious, with Réné calling for urgent reinforcements of soldiers and special police units to support officers on the ground.
The violence has been attributed to a gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm, which has extended its reach to communities in Port-au-Prince. In just one week, these assaults have displaced over 10,000 people in the capital, according to a report released Thursday by the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration. More than half of those displaced have fled to 14 makeshift shelters, including schools, while others are staying with relatives.
This surge in gang violence follows a U.N.-backed mission initiated by Kenyan police, aimed at curbing the rampant violence from gangs that control over 80% of Port-au-Prince. The escalating crisis has resulted in more than 700,000 people becoming homeless and thousands killed. However, U.S. officials and top Haitian leaders have raised concerns regarding the inadequacy of personnel and funding for the Kenyan-led mission, calling for its replacement with a U.N. peacekeeping operation.
Credit: ABC News
