New Gang Attack in Kenscoff Leaves Several Dead, Homes Burned, and Families Displaced

A new wave of armed violence has devastated the commune of Kenscoff, southeast of Port-au-Prince, after heavily armed attackers targeted the locality of Roben during the night of July 8, leaving multiple people dead, homes in flames, and dozens of families fleeing for safety.

According to local media reports and witness accounts, the attack began between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Armed men reportedly blocked roads by cutting down trees before moving into the community, where they set fire to homes, vehicles, and a telecommunications antenna. Several other properties were also damaged or destroyed.

Witnesses said multiple residents were killed during the assault, while others were injured, kidnapped, or remain missing. Because the area remains inaccessible due to ongoing insecurity, authorities have not released an official death toll. Some reports indicate that bodies were left in streets, residential yards, and nearby wooded areas.

Among the reported victims were students preparing for Haiti’s upcoming baccalaureate examinations, adding to the tragedy as families continue searching for loved ones who fled into surrounding hills and forests. Relatives in nearby communities, including Pétion-Ville and Delmas, say they have not been able to contact several missing family members.

The violence has also triggered another wave of displacement. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), nearly 5,840 people, representing approximately 1,836 households, were displaced between July 4 and July 8 following a series of armed attacks and clashes in the Kenscoff area.

Residents are calling for an increased security presence as armed groups continue advancing into nearby communities. Some local reports indicate the attackers have moved toward the Mahotière area, while security forces face significant challenges accessing affected neighborhoods.

Once considered one of the safer communes overlooking Port-au-Prince, Kenscoff has come under increasing pressure from armed gangs in recent months. The latest attack highlights the growing humanitarian and security crisis facing communities that were once viewed as safe havens from the violence affecting much of Haiti.

At the time of publication, Haitian authorities had not released an official casualty count or provided detailed information on the government’s response to the attack.