Dozens Of People Killed In Clashes In Haiti, Gang Members Slaughtered
JAKARTA - Dozens of people in the capital Haiti were killed in clashes between gangs and a group of armed men. Among those killed were Dèdè, one of the highest 'ranking' gang members operating in the Bel-Air slums in Port-au-Prince.
Dede was sacked, while another gang leader, Kempes Sanon, who is also a former police officer, was reportedly injured.
It's not clear how serious Sanon's injuries are, although many fear the attacks that have started in recent days will trigger greater violence in the already 90% controlled city by the gang.
This ongoing attack is unusual because a large number of gangs united in September 2023 and announced the formation of Viv Ansanm, or "Living Together."
This coalition has an impact on reducing violence as armed groups agree to stop fighting each other.
Prior to the attack, Sanon and his gang were part of the Viv Ansanm coalition, which the US had designated as foreign terrorist organizations.
Sejauh ini, kelompok hak asasi manusia telah menghutkan setidaknya 49 orang tewas, terbakar, dan dimutasi sejak Senin.
Among them were 19 gang members, 10 children recruited by gangs, and a man in his 60s who was hit by a stray bullet.
The nineteen women whose partners are gang members were also executed by the Krache Dife gang as they seek medical help for men at a clinic, the group said.
Krache Dife, which means "Expel Fire," is believed to be an ally of Sanon and a member of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition.
The death toll is expected to rise as attacks continue and no authorized or human rights group can access the area.
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In a recent report, the United Nations (UN) noted Sanon, the leader of an injured gang, "played an important role in consolidating gang power in Port-au-Prince, particularly through its involvement in the Viv Ansanm alliance, which has launched coordinated attacks to expand the gang-controlled territory."
The 'Sanon' also maintains an individual network within government agencies, including security agencies, allowing it to avoid arrests and facilitate its criminal activities, the UN report said.