The US announced it has begun to airlift its citizens from Haiti in response to ongoing clashes in the capital city, which is controlled by gangs. There have been reports of intense gunfire in some of the most affluent areas of the city.
Vedant Patel, the spokesperson for the state department, informed the press on Wednesday that evacuees from Port-au-Prince would be transported to the Dominican Republic via government-chartered aircraft. This island, Hispaniola, is shared by both Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Patel stated that the violence and security issues in Port-au-Prince are severe. However, this operation would not be carried out if it was not deemed safe and if the necessary expertise was not available.
Patel stated that the situation in Haiti’s capital, where heavily armed gang members rebelled against the government on February 29th, was constantly changing. Any potential future evacuation flights would be decided upon daily.
According to Patel, approximately 1,600 individuals from the United States residing in Haiti have contacted the government for assistance in navigating the security crisis. This includes requests for evacuation or guidance on how to protect themselves.
As the evacuations commenced, media personnel and observers documented a resumption of conflict in Port-au-Prince, which Unicef Director Catherine Russell likened to a Mad Max movie set earlier this week.
The Associated Press reported that shots were fired heavily in peaceful communities near the Haitian capital. Their reporters witnessed at least five bodies in the suburbs of the city.
British aid worker Matt Knight, currently located in Port-au-Prince, reported that the sound of gunfire has been persistent throughout the day. Knight remarked, “It has been nonstop today … shots can still be heard as we speak. It has been a constant repetition throughout the day – like a continuous popping sound.”
At times, the sound seems to be coming from a nearby street, while other times it feels like it’s coming from a distance of half a mile. However, the sound has been ongoing and persistent. Today has been the most difficult day so far.
Knight, the director of Haiti for Goal Global, an Irish humanitarian aid agency, stated that his organization was able to resume its activities in a disadvantaged neighborhood of Port-au-Prince once the shooting had decreased. However, violence has now spread to some of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods, such as Laboule, Thomassin, and Pétion-Ville.
According to reports, residents of impacted areas reached out to nearby radio stations to request assistance from Haiti’s under-equipped police force. The force is facing difficulties in stopping gangs from taking complete control of the capital.
“Pétion-Ville is currently experiencing intense gunfire, causing a state of paralysis,” shared Jacqueline Charles, the Caribbean correspondent for the Miami Herald, in a tweet on Wednesday afternoon.
While the fighting continued, there were ongoing and vigorous behind-the-scenes discussions aimed at creating a transitional council responsible for selecting an interim government to guide Haiti towards new elections.
Haiti has been without a leader since 2017 when Jovenel Moïse, who became president in 2017, was killed in 2021. The current prime minister and acting president, Ariel Henry, is not well-liked and is unable to enter the country due to a rise in gang activity. After being urged by the United States and Caribbean leaders, Henry has agreed to step down once a council of seven members is established.
On Wednesday, Patel informed the media that the conversations with the transitional president council are ongoing with the belief that every day is crucial.
The United States had confidence that the representatives from various political factions and civil society in Haiti were nearing the completion of an agreement. Yet, it is uncertain if the establishment of said council will bring peace to Port-au-Prince.
Source: theguardian.com
