Several gangs attack neighborhoods in the Haitian capital

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Multiple gangs attacked several communities in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on Friday, setting homes and a church on fire as bullets raced through the area.

At least one woman was killed when gangs opened fire in Solino, St. Michel, Tabarre 27 and other neighborhoods. Panicked residents had been calling radio stations since late Thursday, pleading for help.

A police union also called for help on Thursday on X, saying it had information that several gunmen were preparing to invade Solino.

“There is a need for immediate action!” it wrote.

A spokesman for the Haitian National Police did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Radio Télé Métronome reported that the swearing-in of Haiti’s provisional electoral council scheduled for Friday in downtown Port-au-Prince has been moved to a safer area.

It was not clear what sparked the latest attack, which came just days after Haitian and Kenyan police led the attack a United Nations supported mission to combat gang violence killed at least 20 suspected gang members in an area controlled by the 400 Mawozo gang, which operates mainly in Tabarre.

80% of Port-au-Prince is controlled by gangsalthough communities like Solino have fought against attempts by gunmen to control it.