A dramatic increase in gang-related violence has unfolded in Haiti, as armed members stormed the town of Mirebalais on Monday, freeing approximately 500 inmates from the local prison. This incident underscores the escalating threat posed by gangs across the nation.
Haitian Gangs Raid Town, Free 500 Inmates from Jail
Haitian Gangs Raid Town, Free 500 Inmates from Jail
Armed groups launch a brazen attack in Mirebalais, intensifying the country's security crisis.
Haiti's National Police confirmed the deployment of additional officers to the beleaguered town, situated about 30 miles northeast of Port-au-Prince. While officials assert that control has been reestablished in Mirebalais, reports indicate that several escaped inmates remain at large, adding to the prevailing unease in the area.
Locals described scenes of chaos as heavily armed perpetrators unleashed gunfire upon buildings and civilians, igniting flames that engulfed both structures and vehicles, forcing many residents to flee for safety. The armed groups also targeted the local police station before launching their assault on the jail, releasing those incarcerated within.
According to a local radio journalist, the attackers are believed to belong to two notorious gangs: the 400 Mawozo and a faction identifying itself as "Taliban." Both gangs are part of the Viv Ansam coalition and are known to have significant control over northern regions of Port-au-Prince. Analysts suggest that this aggressive move could be a strategic attempt by the gangs to solidify their control over critical transportation routes connecting urban areas to the countryside.
The 400 Mawozo has gained infamy for its involvement in kidnappings for ransom, often preying on buses traveling in and out of the capital. Meanwhile, the Taliban gang operates primarily out of Canaan, a northern suburb of Port-au-Prince.
The violent breach comes on the heels of a tragic event in which Kenyan police officer Benedict Kabiru was killed during a gang confrontation. The Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti, aimed at reinforcing the national police's efforts to regain control, has faced criticism from residents who say their impact has been minimal. Reports from the United Nations indicate that more than 5,600 lives were claimed by gang violence in Haiti last year alone, with staggering further casualties continuing into 2024.
Locals described scenes of chaos as heavily armed perpetrators unleashed gunfire upon buildings and civilians, igniting flames that engulfed both structures and vehicles, forcing many residents to flee for safety. The armed groups also targeted the local police station before launching their assault on the jail, releasing those incarcerated within.
According to a local radio journalist, the attackers are believed to belong to two notorious gangs: the 400 Mawozo and a faction identifying itself as "Taliban." Both gangs are part of the Viv Ansam coalition and are known to have significant control over northern regions of Port-au-Prince. Analysts suggest that this aggressive move could be a strategic attempt by the gangs to solidify their control over critical transportation routes connecting urban areas to the countryside.
The 400 Mawozo has gained infamy for its involvement in kidnappings for ransom, often preying on buses traveling in and out of the capital. Meanwhile, the Taliban gang operates primarily out of Canaan, a northern suburb of Port-au-Prince.
The violent breach comes on the heels of a tragic event in which Kenyan police officer Benedict Kabiru was killed during a gang confrontation. The Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti, aimed at reinforcing the national police's efforts to regain control, has faced criticism from residents who say their impact has been minimal. Reports from the United Nations indicate that more than 5,600 lives were claimed by gang violence in Haiti last year alone, with staggering further casualties continuing into 2024.
