Haiti's Joint Forces Tackle Gang Violence: Collaborative Interventions and Challenges

Haitian and Kenyan police forces are collaborating in a joint operation to remove gangs from Bel Air, one of Haiti's most dangerous neighborhoods. Prime Minister Garry Conille emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting the high number of killings and urging local cooperation. UN-backed efforts involve 2,500 international personnel.

Haitian forces, in cooperation with police deployed from Kenya, launched a joint operation to expel criminal gangs from Bel Air, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Haiti's capital, Prime Minister Garry Conille announced Wednesday. Speaking at a hospital in Port-au-Prince, Conille pointed out that three Haitian policemen were recuperating after being injured in a shootout during the operation.

"I am tired of seeing police officers being shot. I am tired of going to police officers' funerals. We must solve this insecurity problem," Conille stated emphatically.

Despite not divulging further details and refraining from taking questions, Conille appealed to Haitians to support the police by providing information to combat crime. Since January, over 3,200 killings have been reported, with gangs controlling 80 percent of Port-au-Prince and displacing more than half a million people as they vie for more territory.

"It's not going to be quick," Conille cautioned. "We must be patient." Meanwhile, a police union reported the death of Michelle Nathanielle Megine, a female officer killed on her way to work, highlighting the personal toll on law enforcement.

A United Nations-supported mission led by Kenya has so far dispatched around 400 police officers to Haiti to curb the gang-related violence. Additional police and soldiers from Benin, Chad, and Jamaica are expected to arrive soon, bolstering the force to 2,500 international personnel.

(With inputs from agencies.)