Haitian and multinational forces kill 20 gang members in Pétion-Ville as calls for stronger international support increase
Authorities have not reported casualties among the police, but an armored vehicle was set ablaze by the bandits
by
Juhakenson Blaise Oct. 15, 2024
A group of Jamaican soldiers and police officers on the ground of the Toussaint Louverture International Airport heading to the MSS base on September 12, 2024. Photo by Juhakenson Blaise / The Haitian Times.
Overview:
The Haitian National Police (PNH) reported on Monday that its three-day operations, conducted alongside Kenya-led multinational forces, resulted in the deaths of 20 members of the Kraze Baryè gang. During the raids in the notorious gang stronghold, a Multinational Security Support (MSS) armored vehicle was set on fire by the gang. However, no casualties were reported among law anp Minister Garry Conille, PNH, MSS, Kenya-led mission in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE — The Haitian National Police (PNH) confirmed Monday that 20 gang members were killed during joint operations with the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission on Oct. 12-14 in Torcel, Pétion-Ville. The operation targeted the notorious Kraze Baryè gang led by Vitélhomme Innocent, resulting in the seizure of firearms, ammunition, and sensitive equipment. However, an MSS armored vehicle was destroyed during the offensive.
The PNH stated that the second-in-command of the Kraze Baryè gang, known as Deshommes, was injured during a gunfight with law enforcement.
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Despite the loss of the armored vehicle, the police assured that operations to neutralize Innocent and his accomplices would continue. The operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle armed gangs across the country, particularly in gang-controlled areas like Torcel, a locality in the Pétion-Ville commune—southeast Port-au-Prince suburb.
“Our brave officers have been conducting operations in strategic areas used by criminals to commit their crimes,” the PNH said in a statement. “We remain committed to neutralizing Vitelhomme Innocent and his network of accomplices.”
The MSS armored vehicle was set on fire by gang members after getting stuck in a ditch. According to a source from the MSS, the Kenyan officers inside the vehicle managed to evacuate before it was torched. Videos circulating on social media show the vehicle in flames, with gang members celebrating the act and vowing to destroy more equipment.
MSS continues to face equipment shortages
The destruction of the armored vehicle adds to the challenges faced by the MSS, which has been grappling with equipment shortages, insufficient personnel, and limited funding. Currently, only 407 out of 2,500 expected MSS members are deployed in Haiti, severely limiting the mission’s effectiveness.
This marks the second time gangs have directly targeted the MSS forces. In July, a Kenyan police officer was injured during a gang attack in downtown Port-au-Prince while securing a looted truck. The officer was evacuated to the Dominican Republic for medical treatment before returning to duty.
Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille, during an Oct. 10 visit to Kenya, raised concerns about the equipment shortages faced by the mission. He urged Kenyan President William Ruto to support a new security strategy, which includes strengthening equipment such as armored vehicles and aerial support. Ruto has pledged to advocate for more resources from traditional partners and allies, as well as deploy an additional 600 Kenyan police officers to enhance operations on the ground.
Escalating gang violence in recent weeks
Despite police and MSS interventions, gang violence continues to ravage parts of Haiti, particularly in Artibonite and Port-au-Prince. On Oct. 10, the Taliban gang, led by Jeff Larose, attacked the locality of Canaan in Arcahaie — about 28 miles north of the Haitian capital — burning homes and schools and forcing residents to flee. Although no casualties have been confirmed, the violence highlights the persistent threat posed by armed groups.
In response, the PNH has reinforced security measures in the Arcahaie region. Lionel Lazarre, deputy spokesperson for the PNH, confirmed that units had been deployed and additional safety measures were being implemented to curb further violence.
Before the Arcahaie attack, the Savien gang killed more than 70 people and displaced 3,000 residents in Pont-Sondé, Saint-Marc, on Oct. 3. The attack, part of a worsening security crisis, has left the Artibonite department—Haiti’s agricultural hub—paralyzed, further exacerbating food insecurity and displacing thousands.
Doubts about MSS effectiveness
The ongoing violence has raised questions about the effectiveness of the MSS and its ability to restore order in Haiti. Ebens Cadet, head of the Socio-political organization “Nou Konsyan,” Creole for ‘We Have Conscience,’ criticized the lack of tangible progress since the MSS arrived in the country. He pointed to the Pont Sondé massacre, which occurred in the presence of Kenyan troops, as evidence of the mission’s limitations.
“The largest massacre during the transition occurred in Pont-Sondé with the police and Kenyan officers present,” Cadet said to The Haitian Times. “There has been no significant progress, and roads remain blocked, even as the mission continues to be paid for its deployment.”
As gang violence escalates, Haiti’s humanitarian crisis deepens. According to the
International Organization for Migration(IOM), more than 700,000 people—half of whom are children—are currently displaced. In the last seven months alone, 110,000 people have fled their homes, particularly in regions like Gressier, west of Port-au-Prince. The IOM reports a 22% increase in the number of displaced people since June.
Grégoire Goodstein, head of the IOM in Haiti, called for the international community to provide stronger support to displaced populations and host communities.
“The significant increase in displacement highlights the urgent need for sustained humanitarian response,” stated Goodstein. “We are calling on the international community to strengthen its support for displaced populations and host communities in Haiti, who continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience.
Cadet also questioned the international community’s response to Haiti’s gang violence, accusing global powers of showing selective solidarity when responding to crises in different regions.
“It seems some nations are considered more human than others,” Cadet said. “Haitians must take responsibility for restoring stability in their country, as we cannot rely solely on international assistance.”