International forces in Haiti are currently searching for four Salvadoran soldiers who went missing following an attack by violent gangs on their armored vehicle on Sunday. The soldiers, part of the United Nations-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), escaped from the burning vehicle in Croix-des-Bouquets, located north of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
This incident marks the first significant assault on the international force since it began operations earlier this year. According to a statement from the Armed Forces of El Salvador, the four missing personnel, who are aviation technicians, were returning to their camp when they were ambushed. Helicopters were deployed to locate the soldiers but faced gunfire as they attempted to assess the situation.
“Multiple attempts to approach by land and air have been made, but the intensity of the fighting has hampered these,” the Salvadoran military reported. The GSF has advised local residents to stay indoors while it evaluates the ongoing threat.
The UN Security Council is scheduled to convene later today to discuss the situation in Haiti, with this attack expected to dominate the agenda. The GSF officially commenced its operations on June 1, although it is only functioning at a limited capacity. A UN statement indicated that the force is anticipated to reach full operational status by the end of the year and currently includes over 1,500 troops from countries such as Chad, Jamaica, and Guatemala.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which underscores the influence of armed gangs that control roughly 70 percent of Port-au-Prince. The area where the assault occurred is claimed by several gangs, including Kraze Barye and 400 Mawozo, both of which are led by individuals sanctioned by the UN and the US.
A recent UN Security Council report noted that armed gangs have taken over extensive parts of the capital, engaging in murder, kidnapping, and sexual violence, contributing to widespread impunity. Haiti has experienced profound instability since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, facing extreme violence, political gridlock, and severe humanitarian challenges. Gang-related violence has displaced a record 1.5 million people in recent years, with the UN reporting over 5,700 casualties and 230 kidnappings from January to mid-September this year.
