At least 11 people were killed in Haiti’s central Artibonite region after armed gang members launched a retaliatory attack following a security operation, according to local officials. The violence highlights the worsening security situation beyond the capital, Port-au-Prince, as armed groups continue expanding their influence across parts of the country.
The killings occurred after an international security force conducted an operation against gang members who had established illegal toll points in the area.
Security Operation Targeted Gang-Controlled Area
A Sri Lankan unit serving with the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force carried out the operation earlier in the day, pushing back members of an armed group operating in the area.
The security operation resulted in the deaths of three gang members, according to a statement from the force. However, the international troops remained in the area for only several hours before returning to their base in Gonaïves.
Local Mayor Hubert Ceneac said the subsequent attack appeared to be retaliation by gang members. He reported that armed men targeted residents, killing people and setting homes on fire.
The reported death toll was between 11 and 12 people, although officials said the exact number of victims and the extent of the damage had not yet been fully established.
Kokorat San Ras Gang Linked to the Violence
The affected area in Gros-Morne is considered a stronghold of the Kokorat San Ras gang, an armed group that has expanded its activities from areas around Port-au-Prince into the Artibonite region.
Rosy Ducena, who leads Haiti’s National Human Rights Defense Network, said the full scale of the casualties remained unclear. She also reported that one family had lost several members in the violence.
The latest attack adds to growing concerns about civilian safety in Haiti, where armed groups have increasingly challenged government authority outside the capital.
Haiti Faces Worsening Security and Displacement Crisis
Artibonite, one of Haiti’s major agricultural areas, has become increasingly affected by gang violence. The expansion of armed groups into rural communities has contributed to rising displacement and insecurity across the country.
The UN-backed Gang Suppression Force is also approaching an important point, with its mandate scheduled to expire this week unless the UN Security Council approves an extension.
The latest killings underscore the challenges facing international and Haitian security forces as they attempt to regain control of areas where gangs have established a strong presence.
