Haitian authorities report that during a sustained, multi-day security operation, nine members of armed gangs were killed, at least thirteen others were wounded, and three suspects were taken into custody. The operation, now in its eighth day, unfolded in the Gros Morne area of the Artibonite department, about 130 kilometers from the national capital. In a briefing, the national police outlined tightened actions that freed thirty hostages and led to the seizure of eight motorcycles. The institution described the ongoing campaign as decisive, vowing to continue until gang elements are fully neutralized and the communities they affect can resume daily life with greater safety.
Officials stressed that the operation represents a comprehensive effort to reclaim control of neighborhoods overtaken by heavily armed groups. The authorities emphasized that the security push is not a short-term sweep but a deliberate, staged response designed to minimize civilian harm while dismantling the gangs’ operational capabilities. This approach includes cordons, targeted arrests, and systematic searches for weapons and illicit assets, all conducted with strict attention to human rights considerations and the protection of civilians in the affected zones.
The confrontation between gangs attempting to dominate this region and the state’s security forces intensified last year, driving tens of thousands of residents to abandon their homes in search of safer areas. The prolonged violence has contributed to a severe humanitarian footing, disrupting schooling, healthcare access, and livelihoods for many families. Local leaders and humanitarian agencies have repeatedly called for increased protection and durable solutions to reduce displacement, restore essential services, and support long-term community resilience as security conditions fluctuate.
The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) has reported alarming casualty figures linked to the broader clashes across major urban corridors. Between April and May, preliminary assessments indicated hundreds of fatalities, hundreds more injuries, and a significant number of people listed as missing. The volatility of the conflict has complicated verification efforts and underscored the urgent need for sustained international coordination to address both immediate security concerns and the underlying factors fueling gang activity, including poverty, weak state institutions, and limited economic opportunities.