Haiti: Nearly 40 Dead in New Gang Attack in Kenscoff

08:28

A new outbreak of violence has struck Kenscoff, in the heights of Port-au-Prince. An incursion by armed gang members into a camp for displaced persons set up in a church reportedly resulted in around 40 deaths, while several people remain missing and dozens more have been injured.

Haiti is once again facing a night of deadly violence. In the night from Sunday to Monday, around 40 people were killed in Kenscoff, a municipality located in the highlands of the capital, during an attack attributed to armed groups.

The toll, communicated by the mayor of Kenscoff, Massillon Jean, could still evolve. Search efforts continued on Tuesday, and several residents were still reported missing.

A Displaced Persons Camp Targeted

According to initial reports from local authorities, the assailants entered a camp housing displaced persons, located in a church.

Several people are reported to have been executed on-site. The attack also reportedly resulted in dozens of injuries and led to kidnappings.

The mayor described the events as a "night of terror," as law enforcement intervened in the area following the violence.

The presence of displaced persons in this area adds another dimension to the tragedy. These populations had already been forced to leave their homes due to insecurity and now find themselves exposed to new violence in places that are supposed to offer them a minimum of protection.

Kenscoff Under Pressure from Armed Groups

The municipality of Kenscoff has been facing clashes between armed groups seeking to extend their influence in this region near Port-au-Prince for several months.

This new attack thus occurs in a context of struggle for territorial control. The gangs' advance is no longer limited to the neighborhoods most directly associated with violence in the capital and is also affecting peripheral areas.

In light of the severity of the situation, the office of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé expressed solidarity with the victims and their families. The government also announced the dispatch of reinforcements to try to regain control of the area.

Nearly 1.5 Million Displaced Persons

The attack in Kenscoff is part of a security crisis that affects a significant portion of the Haitian population.

According to an estimate from the International Organization for Migration published in June, nearly 1.5 million people out of a population of about 11 million are displaced within the country due to violence.

The mass displacements illustrate the extent of a crisis that far exceeds the limits of Port-au-Prince. Murders, kidnappings, sexual violence, and child recruitment are regularly associated with the activities of armed groups.

An International Force Still Under Construction

Haitian authorities have limited means to contain the expansion of gangs. A Gang Suppression Force, supported by the UN, is currently being established to assist local police forces.

This force is expected to ultimately consist of 5,500 foreign police and military personnel. However, the exact number of personnel already deployed is not known.

The goal is to strengthen the capabilities of Haitian forces, which are largely overwhelmed by the scale and complexity of the violence.

A New Trial for Civilian Populations

The tragedy in Kenscoff especially highlights the vulnerability of civilians, including those who have already fled areas controlled or threatened by armed groups.

The discovery of new bodies and the continuation of search efforts could further increase the toll. In the immediate term, authorities must also care for the injured, search for missing persons, and secure the sites where residents have sought refuge.

While the establishment of an international force is expected to enhance the security response, violence continues to gain ground and provoke new displacements. For the Haitian populations, the priority remains the same: to find refuge without becoming targets of armed groups again.