Violent gangs launched a bold attack on two affluent neighborhoods in Haiti's capital early Monday, resulting in chaos and claiming the lives of at least twelve individuals nearby.

Gunmen raided homes in the Laboule and Thomassin communities before dawn, prompting residents to flee and some to urgently call for police help via radio.

Despite a recent surge in Haiti gang violence across Port-au-Prince starting from February 29, these neighborhoods had previously been relatively peaceful.

An Associated Press photographer witnessed the grim aftermath, with the bodies of at least twelve men scattered on the streets of Petionville, just below Laboule and Thomassin.

Onlookers gathered around the victims, including one found amidst a deck of cards and another inside a "tap-tap" taxi. Emotions ran high, with one woman collapsing upon learning of her relative's death.

A Haitian man voiced concerns about the escalating violence as an ambulance arrived to collect the victims, leaving tensions high among the shaken residents, AP News reports.

Concerns Amid Political Transition

The recent attacks have heightened worries about ongoing Haiti gang violence, despite Prime Minister Ariel Henry's announcement nearly a week ago of his impending resignation upon the establishment of a transitional presidential council.

This council, comprising seven voting members and two observers from various political groups and societal sectors, aims to guide Haiti through its turbulent times.

However, Haiti gang leaders, seeking Henry's removal, have threatened further unrest, warning politicians against affiliating with the transitional council.

Meanwhile, residents face worsening shortages of essential resources like food and medical supplies.

Haiti has grappled with instability, exacerbated by the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

The situation worsened this year as armed groups attacked law enforcement, prisons, and other government institutions, leading to the closure of Port-au-Prince's main airport and widespread fear among residents, according to Aljazeera.

On Monday, Haiti's power company reported the destruction of four substations in the capital and beyond, causing widespread power outages affecting areas such as the Cite Soleil slum, Croix-des-Bouquets, and a hospital.

Criminals also seized vital infrastructure, hindering efforts to restore services and worsening the humanitarian crisis.

Jean-Michael Bauer, Haiti director at the United Nations World Food Programme, emphasized the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations in delivering aid amidst heightened insecurity, stressing the urgent need for security alongside robust humanitarian efforts.

Challenges Amid International Withdrawals

Escalating insecurity has led to the withdrawal of international entities from Haiti, further complicating the situation.

Haiti's Catholic Church, initially expected to participate in the transitional council, has chosen to maintain a moral distance from the process, highlighting the complexities of resolving the crisis.

Meanwhile, the United Nations, along with the US and Canadian embassies, has withdrawn personnel this month due to the deteriorating security situation.

Neighboring countries have bolstered their borders in response, while plans for international intervention remain on hold.

Residents, particularly in affluent areas like Petionville, are grappling with the aftermath of the deadliest day yet in the country's ongoing security crisis.

The targeted attack of a Haiti gang on a judge's residence underscores the threat to Haiti's elite, heightening tensions in the already volatile landscape.

UNICEF's executive director, Catherine Russell, has decried the situation in Haiti as "horrific," likening the lawlessness to scenes from the post-apocalyptic film Mad Max, per BBC.

Thousands of pregnant women face the risk of giving birth without adequate medical care, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian intervention.

As Haiti faces mounting challenges and a deepening humanitarian crisis, addressing the root causes of violence and insecurity remains paramount for achieving stability.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

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