The Haitian transitional government is being accused of killing several children and a pregnant woman in a drone strike aimed at killing a gang leader.
Concretely, between 16 and 25 people were killed last Saturday in Port-au-Prince, in the Simon Pele neighborhood. Back then, two "kamikaze" drones launched by a government task force and exploded after missing the target.
The Miami Herald noted that the targeted gang leader, Djouma, survived the attack. He was targeted while celebrating his birthday along with other gang leaders. They have vowed retaliation for the attack.
Geeta Narayan, the Haiti representative for the UNICEF, said that "international law clearly states that children, as well as the essential services they rely on, must be protected." "Every effort must be made to prevent and avoid harm to the population, especially children."
The outlet noted that Haitians have been criticizing the use of drones, noting that no major gang leader has been killed so far but collateral damage has been documented at least three times.
In this context, the Trump administration warned that funding for UN-backed forces in Haiti can't be guaranteed if the Security Council doesn't approve its plan to expand the mission.
"The U.S. provision of support for the MSS (Multinational Security Support mission) and what we have been providing will expire at the end of December," said U.S. charge d'affaires in Haiti Henry Wooster, according to Reuters.
The U.S., along with Panama, proposed in August creating a "gang-suppression force" comprised of up to 5,500 uniformed personnel to face criminal organizations in the beleaguered Caribbean country.
The force, which would have arrest and detention power, as well as military-grade capabilities and lethal equipment, was proposed as current forces in the country continue to be unable to recover territory from gangs, which control most of Port-au-Prince.
The plan would see countries donating forces and funding, with some including Canada, El Salvador, the U.S. and Kenya providing "strategic direction."
The U.S. has been looking to shake up the status quo in Haiti as the Kenya-led mission has not been able to recover territory or help restore security in the country. Kenya President William Ruto told the outlet "we need more numbers," as well as "more logistics, equipment and financial support to be able to carry this through."
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