Heavily armed groups attempted to take over Haiti's primary airport following the escape of 4,000 prisoners who began "indiscriminately massacring people." Surprising footage has surfaced showing individuals running in panic as gunshots are heard at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport.
This event represents a significant increase in the ongoing violence that erupted following a prominent gang leader's attempt to remove the prime minister. Gangs have attacked public buildings and the National Penitentiary, resulting in the release of approximately 4,000 inmates.
Haiti's Airport Amid Escalating Violence
People ride motorbikes past burning tires during a demonstration calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on February 6, 2024. Haiti's government on February 5, 2024 announced a crackdown on the para-military and environtmental agency Protected Areas Security Brigade (BSAP) whose heavily armed agents have gained power recently and have been blamed for violent clashes with police last week.
The Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Haiti experienced an enormous attack, which is considered the most extensive harm on the nation's essential facilities to date. During the night-time curfew in response to escalating violence, armed gang members overran prisons and released thousands of inmates.
The airport, normally bustling with activity, was eerily quiet during the attack, with no planes in operation and no passengers present. Eyewitnesses, including Associated Press journalists, reported an armored truck on the tarmac, engaging in gunfire with gangs attempting to breach the airport grounds. Scores of employees and workers scrambled to safety amid the chaos, dodging bullets in a desperate attempt to escape the unfolding violence.
The attack occurs among Haiti facing a worsening security situation in the capital, Port-au-Prince, with armed gangs escalating their attacks on vital infrastructure. The United Nations (UN) has shown serious concern, with spokesman Stephane Dujarric stressing the immediate need for action to address the pressing security needs and avoid further descent into chaos in the country.
A 72-hour state of emergency was declared on Sunday night, reflecting the gravity of the situation. The government, determined to regain control, pledged to track down the escaped inmates, many of whom were in pre-trial detention for serious offenses such as killings and kidnappings.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry's recent visit to Kenya aimed at garnering support for a UN-backed security force underscores the severity of the conflict with increasingly powerful criminal groups. The secretary-general stressed the urgency of financial support for the mission to stabilize Haiti, where gangs reportedly control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince, according to ABC News.
Haiti's Police Struggle
Haiti's National Police, with approximately 9,000 officers, faces the daunting task of providing security for over 11 million people. The recent surge in violence, culminating in coordinated attacks on state institutions, including the national football stadium, represents a new low in Haiti's spiral of violence.
During the weekend, a total of nine individuals tragically passed away, including four police officers, in an assortment of attacks. The alarming occurrence at the National Penitentiary led to the escape of almost all 4,000 inmates, worsening the security situation. Gunfire reverberated through different neighborhoods of the capital, causing a disruption in internet services due to a major cable connection being severed during the incident.
Following the recent attack at the international airport, the US embassy has chosen to suspend official travel to Haiti. With the security situation worsening quickly, the Biden administration is closely tracking the crisis and advising American citizens to leave promptly, without deploying troops.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who is currently abroad, is under more pressure to take on the rising violence and gain the necessary backing to bring back stability in Haiti. We are currently at a crucial point in our nation's history, with the possibility of more disorder on our upcoming days, Daily Mail reported.
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