PORT-AU-PRINCE: Port-au-Prince, Haiti, witnesses intensified armed clashes between gangs in the Solino district, contributing to a deadly, days-long conflict. Gunfire and rising smoke marked the area, as violence escalated with ongoing fighting between gangs in neighboring Bel-Air.
Residents reported fatalities, estimating at least 20 deaths since the conflict began on Sunday, including individuals killed in their homes and those targeted while fleeing.
Several districts, including Carrefour Pean and Delmas 24, faced gang attacks, prompting residents to erect barricades for protection. The security situation has prompted widespread demonstrations across Haiti, responding to calls for accountability and change in the face of the country’s escalating security crisis. Anti-government protests, led by figures like former police chief and politician Guy Philippe, unfolded in various cities, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
Demonstrators criticized the government’s perceived inaction amid profound economic, security, and political challenges, exacerbated by the influence of armed criminal gangs controlling significant portions of the capital. Haiti has grappled with a complex crisis since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, leading to deteriorating living conditions for citizens. The UN estimated that gangs held sway over approximately 80% of the capital last year.
As the unrest continues, the UN Security Council approved the deployment of a multinational mission, led by Kenya, to assist the Haitian police. However, the mission’s arrival may take months, leaving citizens grappling with the immediate and urgent challenges posed by the ongoing violence and instability.
