On Monday, police in Haiti engaged in a fierce confrontation with armed assailants attempting to seize control of Solino, one of the few neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince not under gang control.
The area has faced relentless attacks since Thursday, prompting residents to call radio stations for help while fleeing their homes. According to a statement from Haiti’s National Police on Sunday, officers managed to regain control of several locations as they continued to pursue gang members. In a video shared on social media, gang members brandished automatic weapons. They proclaimed their takeover of parts of Solino, threatening that anyone not affiliated with their coalition, known as “Viv Ansanm,” would face dire consequences.
In response to the violence, Prime Minister Garry Conille convened an emergency meeting on Monday to address the situation in Solino and other affected neighborhoods. He announced the immediate redeployment of several hundred police officers and soldiers from elite units, who typically protect high-ranking officials, to reinforce the areas under siege. “We will not abandon strategic neighborhoods such as Solino and other recently liberated zones. The safety of our citizens is non-negotiable,” he stated on the social media platform X.
According to AP News, the gang coalition has also targeted other neighborhoods, including Tabarre 27, forcing over 4,200 individuals to flee their homes, as reported by the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration on Monday. More than 60% of those displaced have sought shelter in already crowded makeshift accommodations that house others affected by previous gang violence. Some have found refuge in schools, churches, and health centers.
Formed in September 2023, the Viv Ansanm coalition, meaning “Living Together,” unites two previously rival gang federations. This coalition has been responsible for large-scale assaults on vital government infrastructure since February, contributing to the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Additionally, they have united against a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police aimed at addressing gang violence in Haiti that commenced earlier this year.
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