At least three Haitian soldiers were killed and several others injured in a deadly gang ambush on Sunday near Kenscoff, a violence-stricken town on the outskirts of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The attack underscores the dire security situation in the Caribbean nation, where criminal gangs have gained significant territorial control.
Haitian authorities confirmed that the soldiers died “on the front line … weapons in hand,” and hailed them as “worthy sons of the Nation” in a statement on social media. The government emphasized their ultimate sacrifice in defense of the country’s sovereignty, highlighting the ongoing challenges in restoring law and order.
According to local media, the soldiers were travelling in an unarmored vehicle as part of a military reinforcement mission when they were ambushed by heavily armed men. Graphic videos circulating on social media showed fellow soldiers retrieving bodies from the attacked vehicle, underscoring the intensity and brutality of the incident.
In response to the attack, Kenyan security forces—operating under the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS)—joined their Haitian counterparts from the Haitian National Police (PNH) in launching a swift manhunt. Authorities reported that several gang members were injured in the operation.
The town of Kenscoff has witnessed increasing violence in recent days, driven by confrontations between security forces and the gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm. Gangs now control over 85 percent of Port-au-Prince, complicating humanitarian efforts and disrupting critical supply lines across the nation.
The MSS mission, led by Kenya, was established following a 2023 defense agreement with the United States, aiming to bolster Haiti’s overstretched police force and curb rampant gang violence. However, since their delayed arrival in June 2024, Kenyan troops have faced an uphill task in making tangible progress, as the security situation continues to deteriorate.
With nearly 23,000 people displaced in just one week this March, Haiti teeters on the edge of collapse. The latest ambush serves as a grim reminder of the steep price being paid by those defending Haiti’s fragile sovereignty amid a deepening crisis.
