Gangs Escalate Violence in Haiti: U.N. Helicopter Hit in Port-au-Prince Amid Worsening Crisis

A U.N. helicopter carrying 15 passengers and three crew members was struck by multiple rounds of gunfire on Thursday, forcing it to land in Port-au-Prince as gang violence continues to grip Haiti’s capital. Though no injuries were reported, the incident underscores the severe security crisis facing the country. The helicopter had departed from the capital when it came under fire but could land safely, according to a U.N. source not authorized to discuss the incident (AP).

Recent Violence Follows Months of Airport Shutdown Due to Gang Attacks

This attack on the U.N. helicopter comes five months after Haiti’s primary international airport reopened following an extended closure caused by coordinated gang violence. The surge in attacks previously shut down the airport for nearly three months, highlighting the precarious security conditions within and around Port-au-Prince.

Gang Assaults Spread to Arcahaie, Leaving Dozens Dead

The violence has extended beyond Port-au-Prince, reaching nearby towns like Arcahaie, where an attempted gang invasion turned deadly this week. According to Wilner Réné of Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency, roughly 50 suspected gang members were killed, including 12 who drowned after their boat capsized while transporting ammunition. Police forces, with the help of locals, intervened to repel the gunmen, who began their assault by torching homes and vehicles in the coastal town.

Arcahaie Under Siege as Gangs and Police Clash

Réné explained in an interview with Radio Caraïbes that the attack in Arcahaie began on Monday, forcing residents to flee as gunmen burned property across the area. Police, with support from locals, managed to track down gang members who had initially taken refuge when their ammunition supply ran out. However, Réné cautioned that officers still on the scene urgently need reinforcements from the military and specialized police units.

“Viv Ansanm” Gang Coalition Linked to Port-au-Prince and Arcahaie Violence

The recent surge in violence is attributed to a gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm, which has been terrorizing various communities in Port-au-Prince as well as Arcahaie. Over 10,000 people in the capital have been displaced in the past week alone, many taking shelter in temporary facilities like schools. In contrast, others seek refuge with family members, according to the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration.

Security Mission Under Kenyan Police Struggles to Stem Rising Violence

The escalation in gang control, which now affects over 80% of Port-au-Prince, comes despite recent intervention by a Kenyan-led U.N.-backed mission aimed at quelling gang activity. Since the mission’s deployment, more than 700,000 residents have been rendered homeless, and thousands have lost their lives to the violence. However, U.S. and Haitian officials have expressed concerns over the mission’s limited personnel and funding, calling for a full-scale U.N. peacekeeping operation to restore order