On Friday, several communities in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince were targeted by multiple gangs, resulting in a wave of violence and destruction. Homes and a church were set ablaze as gunfire echoed through neighborhoods such as Solino, St. Michel, and Tabarre 27. Tragically, at least one woman lost her life during the attacks, prompting panicked residents to reach out to radio stations for urgent assistance.
The situation escalated to the point where a police union issued a plea for help, citing intelligence that indicated a looming invasion of Solino by armed assailants. The need for immediate action was emphasized, although there was no immediate response from Haiti's National Police regarding the unfolding crisis.
Amidst the chaos, the swearing-in ceremony of Haiti's provisional electoral council, initially slated for Friday in downtown Port-au-Prince, was relocated to a more secure location to ensure the safety of participants.
As the violence persisted, a team of six officials from the Bahamas arrived in Haiti to join a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police aimed at quelling the rampant gang violence. This deployment marks the initial phase of a larger contingent of 150 soldiers from the Bahamas expected to arrive in the coming months to support stabilization efforts.
The motive behind the latest spate of attacks remains unclear, occurring shortly after a joint operation by Haitian and Kenyan police resulted in the deaths of at least 20 suspected gang members in an area predominantly controlled by the 400 Mawozo gang, primarily operating in Tabarre.
Reports indicate that gangs currently hold sway over 80% of Port-au-Prince, with communities like Solino actively resisting attempts by armed groups to assert dominance over their neighborhoods.
