Dozens killed as gang attacks ravage western Haiti ahead of international force’s arrival
CNN • • world
Key Points:
- Armed gangs attacked Haiti’s major agricultural region in the Artibonite department, killing dozens and forcing nearly 6,000 people to flee, with estimates of the death toll ranging from 16 to as high as 70.
- The gangs launched coordinated attacks, barricaded roads, and operated with impunity before police arrived, causing extensive damage including burning dozens of homes.
- Medical teams reported treating numerous injured civilians, including children, with some requiring major surgery, highlighting the severity of the violence.
- The UN and human rights groups condemned the attacks, urging thorough investigations and calling for urgent international cooperation to address Haiti’s escalating gang violence.
- The violence underscores the dire security situation in Haiti, where gangs control large areas, including the capital and key agricultural zones, exacerbating food shortages and displacement ahead of the planned deployment of an international Gang Suppression Force.
