Five Salvadoran soldiers participating in a United Nations-backed international gang suppression force in Haiti were reported missing following an ambush on Sunday in the Croix-des-Bouquets area, a gang-controlled neighborhood on the northern outskirts of Port-au-Prince. The soldiers were traveling in an armored vehicle when it was attacked with explosives and gunfire, resulting in the vehicle catching fire.

According to statements from the Salvadoran military, the soldiers—identified as aviation technicians—escaped the burning vehicle but subsequently lost contact. Efforts to locate them have been complicated by ongoing intense fighting in the area and repeated attacks on responding forces. Salvadoran military helicopters deployed to assist the soldiers reportedly came under gunfire as well, forcing them to disperse gang members in the vicinity. Attempts to approach the site both by air and ground have been hindered by the violence.

There is some discrepancy in the reported number of missing soldiers; while some sources cite five missing, Salvadoran authorities have publicly referred to four. Details about why the soldiers were present in the area remain unclear, as Croix-des-Bouquets is widely regarded as a restricted "red zone" controlled by several violent gangs, including Chèn Méchan, 400 Mawozo, and Kraze Barye. These gangs are known for involvement in kidnappings, extortion, and violent crime, and several gang leaders have been sanctioned by both the United Nations and the United States.

The international gang suppression force currently comprises over 2,000 personnel from countries including Chad, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mongolia, and Sri Lanka, with plans to increase its numbers to about 5,500 soldiers. The force operates under a more robust mandate than previous missions, enabling it to function independently of the Haitian police, including making arrests. Jack Christofides, the force’s special representative in Haiti, acknowledged the challenges posed by limited troop numbers and said that intensified gang attacks signal the force is affecting gang operations.

Haiti has been grappling with escalating gang violence in recent years, resulting in over 22,000 deaths since 2021. The United Nations estimates that more than 1.5 million people have been displaced and thousands kidnapped in recent years amid deteriorating security. The ongoing crisis has severely disrupted governance, with elections postponed multiple times and not held in over a decade.

Haiti’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Wien-Weibert Arthus, emphasized the complexity of the security challenges facing the country while expressing hope for the safe return of the missing Salvadoran soldiers. The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Mike Waltz, condemned the attack and reiterated support for the international mission, stating that such acts of violence would not deter the coalition’s efforts.

The Gang Suppression Force is continuing to assess the situation and conduct search operations. Local residents reported increased helicopter flights and gunfire in the area following the attack. Haitian National Police officials had no immediate information on the incident.