Haiti's PNH Launches Major Operation in Mirebalais as Gang Violence Escalates
Haiti's Mirebalais has seen intense action as the Haitian National Police (PNH) launched joint operations to dismantle gang control. Residents, frustrated with government inaction, recently shut down the main power plant, causing a blackout in Port-au-Prince. Meanwhile, the UN warns of a dire humanitarian situation, with a 490% increase in grave violations against children and only 8% of humanitarian response funded.
The PNH's operation in Mirebalais faced resistance from gangs attempting to build barricades, but SWAT and the Temporary Anti-Gang Unit pressed on. This action comes amidst a backdrop of escalating gang violence, including the Taliban group's takeover of La Chapelle commune and the Gran Grif gang's attack in Petite-Rivière de l'Artibonite, which left at least two dead and several civilians kidnapped. The violence has displaced 8,890 people, with most seeking shelter with host families.
Adding to the chaos, a fire in Pont-Gaudin, Gonaves, claimed lives, including students on their way to school. The UN expresses concern about rising gender-based violence against displaced women and girls. The Kenyan government faces a lawsuit from the family of a missing Kenyan officer, Benedict Kabiru, over its silence on his whereabouts since March. Despite past UN missions like MINUSTAH, a specific peace plan from the UN remains unclear, but international organizations advocate for stabilization and development efforts.
Haiti's gang violence and humanitarian crisis show no signs of abating, with displaced people, children, and women facing severe risks. The PNH's operations aim to restore control, but the situation demands urgent international attention and funding. The use of foreign mercenaries by the CPT adds another layer of complexity to the conflict, with details of this engagement yet to be disclosed.
