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3h ago

Haiti Drone Strike in Cité Soleil Kills 8 Children as Rights Group Accuses Police

A human rights group says a police task force used kamikaze drones, intensifying scrutiny of foreign-supplied equipment and accountability.

A man walks past an armoured vehicle used by Kenyan police that, according to police, was burned during an attack by armed gangs in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Aug. 14. The transitional government on Monday had not commented on a deadly weekend drone attack.

Overview

  • Explosions on Saturday night in Cité Soleil’s Simon Pelé neighborhood killed at least 11 people, including eight children, and seriously wounded six children, according to relatives, residents and activists.
  • RNDDH accused a Haitian police task force of launching two kamikaze drones during a gathering linked to suspected gang leader Albert Steevenson, known as Djouma; police and the prime minister’s office did not comment.
  • Residents said total fatalities could reach 13, and the Viv Ansanm coalition that controls the area saw leader Jimmy Chérizier, known as Barbecue, vow retaliation.
  • Canada’s police supplied drones used by Haitian authorities, and Ottawa has stated the deployment of explosives violates Canadian law and assurances that the equipment would not be used for conflict.
  • A task force comprising police units and private contractors has conducted explosive-drone operations as a Kenya-led UN mission struggles with just 991 personnel and about $112 million in funding, while Vectus Global prepares to send nearly 200 contractors.