Reinforcements arrive in Haiti
El Salvador sent 100 special-forces soldiers to Haiti on Thursday as the search continued for four Salvadoran aviation technicians, the Associated Press reported. A spokesperson for the multinational Gang Suppression Force also told CNN that Salvadoran personnel had arrived to assist with the operation.
A Salvadoran government official who was not authorised to discuss the deployment told the Associated Press that another 100 soldiers were scheduled to travel to Haiti on Thursday night. The official said authorities were operating on the assumption that the missing technicians were alive. CNN reported that El Salvador had not disclosed specific details of the mission.
Multinational force reports casualties
The Gang Suppression Force said its search operation, underway for several days, had led to armed clashes in which at least seven gang members were killed and four members of the force were wounded.
According to the Associated Press, the multinational force has been working with a Haitian National Police task force in gang-controlled territory. Residents were advised to remain indoors while fighting continued.
Technicians missing since 18 October
Salvadoran officials described the missing personnel as non-combat aviation technicians supporting the multinational mission. They said gangs ambushed the technicians on 18 October. Authorities said their armoured vehicle came under gunfire and that the attackers also used explosives, while Haiti’s government later said the four had been abducted.
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele announced a military effort to recover the four and warned of a more forceful response if they were not released alive and unharmed. The Associated Press reported that no gang had claimed responsibility for the attack.