PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — On Monday, Haiti’s primary airport was forced to close temporarily as gangs made aggressive attempts to seize control, according to reports from the U.S. embassy. This situation developed concurrently with the expectation of a new interim prime minister assuming leadership in a nation grappling with escalating violence.

In the capital city, Port-au-Prince, gun battles erupted between police and gang members, with heavily armed officers seeking shelter behind structures while panic-stricken civilians fled the scene. In various affluent neighborhoods, gangs engaged in arson, setting fire to residential properties, further escalating the chaos.

The U.S. Embassy in Haiti issued a travel advisory regarding the shutdown of the airport, citing “gang-led efforts to obstruct travel to and from Port-au-Prince,” which could involve armed violence and disruptions affecting roads, ports, and airports within the area.

The violence escalated after reports surfaced indicating that gangs had fired at a Spirit Airlines flight, accompanied by photographs showing bullet holes in the aircraft. However, immediate confirmation of this incident from local authorities remains pending.

This unrest follows the dismissal of interim prime minister Garry Conille by a council intended to restore democratic governance in Haiti. Conille’s removal came as he faced conflicts with the council, which appointed businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as his successor. The council itself has faced challenges, including internal strife and recent allegations of corruption against three of its members.