Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille announced a joint operation between Haitian forces and Kenyan police to remove criminal gangs from a dangerous neighborhood in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. The operation took place in the gang-controlled area of Bel Air, where three Haitian policemen were injured during a shootout and were being treated at a local hospital.

Expressing his frustration over the violence against law enforcement, Conille emphasized the need to address the insecurity issue and urged Haitians to cooperate with the police by providing information to combat crime. With over 3,200 reported killings in Haiti between January and May and gangs controlling most of Port-au-Prince, the situation has left over half a million people homeless in recent years due to territorial fights.

Conille did not disclose specific details of the operation but stressed the importance of patience in tackling the ongoing security challenges. Additionally, a police union reported the tragic death of a female officer who was shot multiple times while on her way to work, becoming one of the many officers killed this year.

To support efforts in restoring order, a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenya has dispatched around 400 police officers to assist in reducing gang violence in Haiti. Furthermore, additional police and military personnel from countries like Benin, Chad, and Jamaica are expected to join the mission in the upcoming months, totaling 2,500 foreign personnel in the collaborative operation.