Overview:
A police operation in Croix-des-Bouquets on Nov. 13–14 led to the seizure of a Barrett M82 rifle utilized by the 400 Mawozo gang and the deaths of a number of gang members. A Haitian Nationwide Police (PNH) helicopter was destroyed after a pressured touchdown underneath hearth. The operation additionally focused the Chen Mechan gang and different prison teams working within the Cul-de-Sac Plain, amid hovering nationwide violence and mass displacement.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — An anti-gang operation launched Nov. 13 within the Santo and Lilavois areas of Croix-des-Bouquets led to the seizure of a number of high-powered weapons — together with a Barrett M82 sniper rifle believed for use by the 400 Mawozo gang — and the deaths of a number of alleged gang members, the Haitian Nationwide Police (PNH) stated Friday.
The 2-day operation additionally brought on panic within the Cul-de-Sac Plain space of Port-au-Prince, together with Croix-des-Bouquets and close by Tabarre. Early Friday morning, a PNH helicopter supporting floor models was pressured to land after coming underneath gunfire and experiencing what the establishment described as a mechanical failure.
In a statement, police stated officers destroyed the plane on the bottom to stop it from falling into gang fingers after figuring out it couldn’t be safely recovered.
“After this incident, the officers on board had been secured and introduced again by floor models,” the PNH stated. “Earlier than leaving the world, they set the plane on hearth. This resolution was supposed to stop the helicopter — unimaginable to get better at that second — from falling into the mistaken fingers.”
“Earlier than leaving the world, they [police officers] set the plane on hearth. This resolution was supposed to stop the helicopter—unimaginable to get better at that second—from falling into the mistaken fingers.”
Haitian Nationwide Police
PNH spokesperson Garry Desrosiers stated eight officers had been on the helicopter and all had been recovered with out damage.
No official casualty report has been launched for the operation, which focused each 400 Mawozo and the Chen Mechan gang, the latter of which operates in Croix-des-Missions and has repeatedly tried to grab the Motorized Intervention Brigade (BIM) base in Clercine. The clashes displaced a number of households and intensified worry throughout surrounding neighborhoods.
“I needed to depart the world, however the one place I may take shelter can also be inaccessible,” stated a Clercine resident, who requested anonymity for security. “Police armored autos are patrolling whereas the gang gunfire continues.”
UN raises alarm over escalating violence, communities stay on edge
The operation comes because the United Nations Built-in Workplace in Haiti (BINUH) warns of worsening violence throughout the nation. In line with a recent report, a minimum of 1,247 folks had been killed and 710 had been injured between July and September.
Though police operations and neighborhood resistance efforts have pushed gangs from components of Port-au-Prince, assaults have expanded into provincial areas, together with Artibonite, the Centre division, Arcahaie and Cabaret.
These figures add to the greater than 3,000 folks killed between January and June 2025, bringing Haiti’s whole conflict-related deaths to over 4,200 this yr. Greater than 1.4 million folks have been displaced as of September because of gang exercise, in line with UN estimates.
Tensions stay excessive in Santo, Lilavois, Butte Boyer, Tabarre 27 and Clercine, the place sporadic gunfire continued into Friday. Residents worry retaliation from gangs focused within the newest police operations.
“I sleep in my pants, totally dressed as if I had been about to exit,” stated one other Clercine resident. “In case the scenario worsens and I’ve to flee rapidly.”
Because the PNH expands coordinated anti-gang operations with help from worldwide companions, the safety scenario within the capital area stays risky, with residents caught between armed teams and regulation enforcement.