New gang attacks in Haiti, police station occupied, victims unknown.

– Advertising –

On Friday evening, heavily armed men carried out a series of attacks on civilians and police in the suburb of Gressier, south of Port-au-Prince, spreading terror among the population, many of whom fled to the nearby mountains.

There were eyewitness reports of houses being looted and burned. Citizens attacked were reportedly injured or killed, forcing the population to seek refuge outside the area to save their lives.

The attacks continued on Saturday morning when armed gangs attacked the local police station, located in an area controlled by Renel Destina alias “Ti Lapli”, the leader of the at least 300-strong Grand Ravine gang.

According to local reports, police exchanged gunfire with the gang for several hours before police were finally forced to retreat from the building.

Several vehicles in the police station yard were set on fire

The number of victims is not yet known. Lionel Lazarre, coordinator of the National Union of Haitian Police Officers, also could not tell reporters whether police suffered injuries in the exchange of fire.

The police union has “X” that 25 police stations and field offices are now in the hands of gangs.

Because of these and similar events, more and more civilians and police officers are calling for the dismissal and arrest of the Haitian police chief. However, police say they need help and support as they often face gangs with superior firepower.

The current wave of violence began in late February when gangs carried out several attacks. Gunmen have burned police stations, opened fire at the main international airport, which has remained closed since March 4, and attacked Haiti’s two largest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

Veteran politician Andre Michel wrote on the social media platform…We will not be able to secure the country alone.”

A UN-backed deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti has been repeatedly delayed, but there is speculation that the first officers could arrive around May 24. Recently, US aircraft were seen arriving in Port au Prince, and contractors appear to have begun work on the barracks to accommodate the arriving police officers.

Sources: Haiti Times, VOA, AP.

– Advertising –