Haiti gang attack leaves at least 20 dead…. Haiti gang attack leaves at least 20 dead

People could be seen fleeing the violence on motorcycles and on foot

At least 20 people, including children, have been killed after an armed gang attacked a small town in Haiti.
Another 50 were injured when members of the Gran Grif gang attacked Pont-Sondé, in the central region of Artibonite, about 71 km northwest of the capital Port-au-Prince.
Video footage shows groups of people fleeing the violence on motorcycles and on foot. A government prosecutor described the attack as “a massacre,” the Associated Press reported.
Armed gangs have taken control of large parts of Haiti, and a UN-backed police mission led by Kenyan officials began in June to regain control. The exact death toll in the attack is unclear — local media reported that more than 50 people were killed, while a Haitian human rights group put the figure at 20 or more, the AP said. .
The Gran Grif is considered one of the most violent gangs in Haiti. In January 2023, its members were accused of attacking a police station near Port-Sondé and killing six police officers. He is also accused of forcing the closure of a hospital that serves more than 700,000 people.
The gang has about 100 members and has been accused of crimes including murder, rape, robbery and kidnapping, according to a UN report cited by the AP. Its founder and current leader are both subject to US sanctions.
Thursday’s violence comes nearly a month after Haitian authorities extended a state of emergency across the country.
Prime Minister Garry Conille vowed to crack down on the gangs, with the UN saying a “robust use of force” was needed.
The UN approved the police mission consisting of 2,500 officers from various countries – including 1,000 pledged by Kenya.
Its implementation was authorized for one year, with a review after nine months.

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