US Marines in Haiti Exchange Fire with Suspected Criminal Gangs
U.S. Marines stationed in haiti to support embassy security came under gunfire Thursday night in Port-au-Prince amid escalating violence and instability on the island. The Marines returned fire, and no injuries were reported. This incident marks a notable escalation compared to prior attacks on American personnel. The U.S.Embassy increased its security presence last year due to rising gang activity, and Marines had arrived earlier this year to provide embassy protection and coordinate troop rotations.
Haiti remains in deep chaos, having been without an elected president since 2021 and governed by a transitional council with limited authority. Armed gangs control approximately 85% of the capital, contributing to widespread violence. Police recently engaged in a shootout with gangs, killing seven suspected gangsters but losing a police helicopter, which was destroyed to prevent its capture by gangs.
The ongoing gang violence has caused severe humanitarian consequences,displacing around 1.4 million people, with high numbers of killings, injuries, kidnappings, and sexual violence reported in recent months. The U.S. State Department continues to advise against travel to Haiti due to the deteriorating security situation.
U.S. Marines came under fire in Haiti on Thursday night as the troubled island continues to devolve into deeper and deeper chaos.
“Marines supporting embassy security operations were fired upon” in the capital of Port-au-Prince and returned fire, Capt. Steven Keenan, a Marine Corps spokesman, said of the incident, according to The Washington Post.
No Marines were injured, he said.
This was not the first time Americans came under fire but was more significant than past incidents, he said.
“U. S. Marines are committed to the safety and security of U.S. embassies worldwide and respond to all threats with professionalism and swift, disciplined action,” Keenan said.
In August, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti said Marines arrived to “provide security for our diplomatic post and coordinate an eventual rotation of Marines” who were previously deployed to protect the embassy.
Security at the embassy was increased last year as gang activity increased.
Haiti has been without an elected president since 2021 and is theoretically governed by a transitional council that has little control over the nation.
Armed gangs have power over about 85 percent of the capital.
In July, the State Department warned against travel to Haiti.
In another Thursday night incident, police traded fire with gangs.
Police believe they killed seven gang members, but a police helicopter was lost in the operation, according to ABC News.
Authorities said the helicopter had a “suspected malfunction” and was destroyed so that gangs could not use it.
Gang violence has sent 1.4 million people in Haiti from their homes, according to the U.N. International Organization for Migration.
Between July 1 and Sept. 30, at least 1,247 people in Haiti were killed and 710 injured due to violence, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti said, according to the Miami Herald.
At least 145 kidnappings for ransom took place during that quarter while 400 people were victims of sexual violence.
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