Search Intensifies for Four Salvadoran Soldiers Missing After Haiti Gang Attack

International forces in Haiti are actively searching for four Salvadoran soldiers who disappeared following a Sunday attack by violent gangs. The soldiers, part of the United Nations-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), were in an armoured vehicle when it was targeted with explosives. They managed to escape the burning vehicle in Croix-des-Bouquets, north of the capital, Port-au-Prince. This incident marks the first significant attack on the international force since its operations commenced earlier this year.

The Armed Forces of El Salvador reported on Monday that the missing personnel were four aviation technicians. They were en route back to their camp when the assault occurred. Attempts to locate them using helicopters were met with gunfire, hindering efforts to establish contact and determine their whereabouts. A statement from El Salvador indicated that multiple ground and air approaches have been attempted, but the intensity of the ongoing fighting has impeded progress.

The GSF is currently assessing the situation and has advised local residents to stay indoors. The United Nations Security Council is slated to convene on Monday to discuss Haiti, with this attack anticipated to be a primary topic of conversation. The GSF, which officially began operations on June 1, has been operating in a limited capacity and is expected to reach full operational strength by the end of the year. It currently comprises over 1,500 troops from nations including Chad, Jamaica, and Guatemala.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. This event occurs as Haiti prepares for its first general election in over a decade and highlights the considerable influence of armed gangs, which are estimated to control approximately 70 percent of Port-au-Prince. The specific area where the armoured vehicle was attacked is under the control of gangs such as Kraze Barye, led by Vitelhomme Innocent, and 400 Mawozo, led by Lanmo Sanjou. Both gang leaders have faced sanctions from the UN and the US.

A UN Security Council report from last month detailed how armed gangs have overwhelmed significant portions of the capital, employing tactics like murder, kidnapping, and sexual violence with widespread impunity. Haiti has been grappling with a multidimensional crisis since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, characterized by extreme violence, political stagnation, and severe humanitarian conditions. Gang violence has led to a record displacement of 1.5 million people across Haiti in recent years. According to UN figures, at least 5,700 individuals have been killed or injured between January and mid-September of this year, with 230 reported kidnappings.