UN-backed forces search for soldiers kidnapped by Haitian gang

The United Nations–backed Gang Suppression Force said on Tuesday it was continuing to search for four Salvadoran soldiers who remained missing days after they were kidnapped during a gang attack in Santo, Haiti, a suburb of Port-au-Prince. Since Sunday, when the four were taken, GSF troops have conducted armed operations in the area with in-air support, the group said. Initial reports showed that several gang members were killed and others wounded during the skirmishes, it added. Four GSF personnel were also reportedly wounded during the operations.

What is the Gang Suppression Force? The UN-created group is supporting Haitian police operations meant to combat the gangs overrunning and controlling parts of the island nation. A UN report released on Monday recorded over 1,100 Haitians killed by gang-related violence from July to October of this year, with another 440 injured. The UN authorized the deployment of up to 5,500 GSF members to Haiti, though just over 1,560 uniformed personnel were now in Haiti, the report noted.