A recent raid by armed gangs in Mirebalais has exposed the growing threat of organized crime in Haiti, as roughly 500 inmates were freed from a local prison during the assault.
**Gangs Raid Haitian Town, Free 500 Inmates During Bold Attack**
**Gangs Raid Haitian Town, Free 500 Inmates During Bold Attack**
Gang violence escalates in Haiti as armed groups target Mirebalais, leading to widespread chaos and insecurity.
In a shocking attack on Monday, gang members took control of Mirebalais, a central town located 50 kilometers northeast of Port-au-Prince, releasing around 500 inmates from jail. The Haitian National Police reported that they have since deployed additional officers to the area. Despite regaining some control, witnesses claim that many escaped inmates remain on the streets. The recent assault highlights the expanding influence of gangs beyond the capital, with Mirebalais' strategic location at the junction of major roads making it a target.
Eyewitness accounts describe heavily armed assailants firing indiscriminately at buildings and pedestrians, leading to panic among residents. Gangs known as 400 Mawozo and "Taliban," both part of a coalition called Viv Ansam, were identified as perpetrators of the attack, aiming to extend their control over routes leading out of Port-au-Prince and into the countryside.
The 400 Mawozo is notorious for kidnappings, frequently ambushing buses traveling to and from the capital, while the Taliban gang operates from Canaan, a northern suburb. This violent incident occurred shortly after the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti reported the death of a Kenyan police officer in a separate gang confrontation. Despite ongoing efforts by the multinational force to curb gang influence, local residents express frustration over the perceived lack of progress in restoring security. In 2023 alone, gang violence claimed the lives of over 5,600 people, with thousands more affected by injuries and kidnappings, further emphasizing the dire state of law and order in Haiti.
Eyewitness accounts describe heavily armed assailants firing indiscriminately at buildings and pedestrians, leading to panic among residents. Gangs known as 400 Mawozo and "Taliban," both part of a coalition called Viv Ansam, were identified as perpetrators of the attack, aiming to extend their control over routes leading out of Port-au-Prince and into the countryside.
The 400 Mawozo is notorious for kidnappings, frequently ambushing buses traveling to and from the capital, while the Taliban gang operates from Canaan, a northern suburb. This violent incident occurred shortly after the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti reported the death of a Kenyan police officer in a separate gang confrontation. Despite ongoing efforts by the multinational force to curb gang influence, local residents express frustration over the perceived lack of progress in restoring security. In 2023 alone, gang violence claimed the lives of over 5,600 people, with thousands more affected by injuries and kidnappings, further emphasizing the dire state of law and order in Haiti.
