Four Salvadoran Soldiers Missing After Attack on UN-Backed Force in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI — Four Salvadoran soldiers serving with the United Nations-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) are unaccounted for following an attack by heavily armed criminal gangs in Haiti over the weekend.

The attack occurred on Sunday in Croix-des-Bouquets, an area of the capital, Port-au-Prince, where violent gangs have established control. It marks the first major attack on the international force since it began operations nearly six months ago.

According to El Salvador’s military, the soldiers lost contact with their colleagues after escaping from an armoured vehicle that caught fire during the assault.

Salvadoran authorities said they were working with international forces to locate the missing personnel and establish contact with them.

Helicopters were deployed to the area, but they also came under fire as security forces attempted to disperse armed gang members.

“Multiple attempts to approach by land and air have been made, but these have been hampered by the intensity of the fighting,” the Salvadoran military said.

The circumstances surrounding the soldiers’ disappearance remain unclear as efforts to reach the affected area continue.

UN Warns of Growing Attacks on International Force

The incident has raised fresh concerns about the security of international personnel deployed to help Haiti confront escalating gang violence.

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council on Monday, the GSF’s special representative, Jack Christofides, warned that armed groups were increasingly targeting the mission.

“Gangs are testing the GSF. We recorded an increase in hostile incidents against our force, from two to fifteen in a single month,” Christofides said.

He added that officials were still establishing the full circumstances of the attack while examining its implications for force protection, operational security and logistical support.

Christofides also warned that gangs had carried out reprisal killings in some areas following operations by Haitian and international security forces.

He said armed groups had continued pushing into certain areas, underscoring the challenges facing efforts to restore security and protect civilians.

US Condemns Attack and Warns Gang Leaders

The United States strongly condemned the attack during the Security Council meeting, issuing a warning to criminal groups operating across Haiti.

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said those responsible for terrorising communities would face growing pressure from the international mission.

“To the gang bosses terrorizing Haiti, your days of operating with impunity are numbered,” Waltz said.

He added that the force would continue its efforts despite attacks on its personnel and equipment.

“You can burn vehicles, erect barricades, terrorise the local police, terrorise civilians, but the Gang Suppression Force is coming for you,” he said.

The GSF said it was assessing the situation and had advised residents in the affected area to remain indoors as security operations continued.

No group had claimed responsibility for the attack at the time of reporting.

Haiti Faces Persistent Gang Violence Ahead of Elections

The attack comes as Haiti prepares for its first general election in more than a decade, highlighting the security challenges facing authorities as they seek to restore stability and rebuild public confidence.

Criminal gangs are estimated to control around 70 per cent of Port-au-Prince, restricting movement, disrupting essential services and threatening communities across the capital.

The international force is seeking to increase its troop numbers as it works alongside Haitian security agencies to contain the violence and regain control of gang-dominated areas.

The scale of the crisis remains severe. More than 21,000 people have been killed in gang-related violence over the past four years, according to the figures provided in the latest reporting on the crisis.

Meanwhile, ongoing fighting has forced nearly 1.5 million Haitians to flee their homes in recent years, creating a major humanitarian challenge.

The disappearance of the four Salvadoran soldiers is likely to intensify scrutiny of the international mission’s ability to operate in heavily contested areas while protecting its personnel and the communities it is meant to support.

Security Mission Faces Critical Test

The attack presents a significant test for the GSF as it seeks to expand operations against heavily armed gangs.

Locating the missing soldiers, determining how the ambush unfolded and assessing the risks to deployed personnel will be central to the immediate response.

The incident also highlights the wider challenge facing Haiti: restoring security in areas controlled by criminal groups while preparing for elections and addressing the humanitarian consequences of prolonged violence.

With gangs continuing to resist security operations, the effectiveness of the international mission will depend on its ability to protect its personnel, coordinate with Haitian authorities and improve security for civilians.