Three members of the Haitian Armed Forces (FAD’H) were killed on Sunday in an ambush by gang members in Kenscoff, a mountainous area south of Port-au-Prince, marking yet another deadly clash in the country’s escalating security crisis.
According to officials, the soldiers were traveling in an unarmored pickup truck to support Haitian National Police units engaged in a firefight with members of the gang known as Viv Ansanm. They came under surprise fire from gunmen hiding in an elevated building.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé confirmed the deaths in a solemn statement, calling the slain men “heroes” who died in the line of duty while defending the nation.
“It is with deep sadness and deep emotion that the Government of the Republic announces the loss of three of our valiant soldiers,” the Prime Minister said. “They fell as heroes, weapons in hand, defending the homeland they swore to protect. Their commitment is a powerful reminder that freedom and security come at a price.”
Following the deadly ambush, officers from the Haitian National Police and the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission launched a manhunt in the area, reportedly injuring several gang members during the operation.
The MSS, led by Kenya, was deployed to Haiti in late 2024 to help restore stability amid rampant gang violence. Kenya has sent more than 800 police officers as part of the mission, and other nations—including Guatemala, El Salvador, Jamaica, and Belize—have contributed personnel.
The latest killings bring the toll of international peacekeeping casualties in Haiti to five since the beginning of the year. Two Kenyan officers were killed in separate attacks in February and March during operations in gang-dominated regions of the country.
Gang violence in Haiti has surged in recent years, with heavily armed groups exerting control over vast areas of Port-au-Prince and beyond, often outgunning local security forces.
The government has pledged continued resistance against the gangs and reiterated its commitment to restoring peace and national security.
