U.S. Bolsters Kenyan-Led Security Mission in Haiti with Additional Armored Vehicles

The U.S. military announced it will provide 24 more armored vehicles to Kenyan forces leading a U.N.-ratified security mission in Haiti. The mission, aimed at combating heavily armed gangs in the capital, includes 400 Kenyan police. The U.S. Southern Command will deliver the vehicles and gunner protection kits to bolster this effort.

The U.S. military announced on Friday that 24 additional armored vehicles would be delivered to Kenyan personnel deployed in Haiti. The Kenyan troops are leading a long-delayed security operation in the conflict-ridden Caribbean nation.

Leading the U.N.-ratified mission, 400 Kenyan police recently arrived to fight heavily armed gangs who have taken over much of Haiti's capital. The mission was first requested in 2022, and of the nations pledging over 2,500 troops, only the Kenyan contingent has arrived.

The U.S. Southern Command, known as SouthCom, confirmed the delivery of mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) MaxxPros to the main airport via U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo aircraft. The new fleet adds to the existing 10 U.S.-provided MRAPs and 34 Overhead Gunner Protection Kits to be installed on the vehicles by military-funded contractors.

The Kenyan forces will use these upgrades to enhance their operations with the national police. A recent setback saw Kenyan troops withdraw from Ganthier after encountering issues with the initial MRAPs, which lacked necessary turrets, hindering their ability to respond to attacks.

Violence in Ganthier displaced nearly 6,000 residents by early August. The ongoing conflict in Haiti has resulted in the internal displacement of close to 600,000 people and severe hunger affecting nearly 5 million residents. The mission's initial mandate expires in October.

(With inputs from agencies.)