Haiti mourns victims killed by drone attack targeting gangs in Port-au-Prince
On Wed, Sep 20, 2023, a drone attack in a gang-controlled area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti resulted in nine fatalities and 17 injuries, as reported by an international medical NGO. The attack occurred in Cité Soleil, a region under the control of the gang…
On Wed, Sep 20, 2023, a drone attack in a gang-controlled area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti resulted in nine fatalities and 17 injuries, as reported by an international medical NGO. The attack occurred in Cité Soleil, a region under the control of the gang coalition Viv Ansanm, recognized by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization.
A collective funeral was held for the victims, including four children, with community members and relatives in attendance. The event took place in a local park, where attendees, still affected by the incident, experienced panic due to misidentifying a bird as a drone. Community leaders contributed to funeral expenses.
Among the deceased was 8-year-old Samira Nelson, whose mother, Claudia Bobrun, expressed her grief and inability to face the loss. Similarly, Jislene Statune mourned the loss of two grandchildren and her eldest daughter, who was a family provider.
A collective funeral was held for the victims, including four children, with community members and relatives in attendance.
International Intervention and Security Measures
On Tue, Oct 3, 2023, the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution to form a 5,550-member international force aimed at curbing gang violence in Haiti. This force will be led by Kenya and will possess the authority to arrest suspected gang members, enhancing its current operational capabilities.
Since the assassination of President Jovenal Moïse in 2021, gang influence has increased, with control over 90 percent of Port-au-Prince and activities extending to rural areas. The rise in gang-related violence has resulted in over 1.3 million individuals being displaced and has exacerbated poverty and food insecurity across Haiti.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
