Gangs set streets on fire in Haiti: 'Massacre' in gang raid

Members of the gang known as 'Gran Grif' carried out an armed raid on the town of Pont-Sondé, located in the Artibonite region, 71 kilometers from Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince.

In the incidents, 70 people have lost their lives over the last two days, and dozens of others have been injured, some critically.

According to the United Nations (UN) Office in Haiti, members of the 'Gran Grif' gang set fire to 45 houses and 34 vehicles, forcing local residents to flee.

In the attack, which left at least 20 people dead, including children, and 50 others injured, residents of the town have abandoned their homes due to the raid.

The Gran Grif gang is accused of causing the closure of a hospital that serves 700 thousand people.

UN Haiti Office Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan stated in a press briefing that members of the Gran Grif gang opened fire on the public with automatic weapons.

Al-Kheetan called for reinforcements to be sent to the region.

In a statement issued by the government, the armed gang raid was described as a 'massacre'.

Members of the Gran Grif gang were accused of raiding a police station near Port-Sondé in January 2023 and killing 6 police officers.

According to the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), a total of 3,900 people have been killed as a result of attacks by armed gangs since the beginning of 2024, with 1,374 of those deaths occurring in the last 6 months.

In a country where armed gangs control 80 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, acts of violence are increasing day by day.

Haiti, which has been struggling with fundamental problems such as political, economic, and security crises for many years, is facing the threat of famine with a population exceeding 11 million.

Gangs had also attacked an area in the country's capital where luxury hotels are located in recent months.

Haitian gangs had also attempted to seize control of the country's ports.

These developments have led the international press to raise questions about whether the 'state' in Haiti can continue to exist.