PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (CMC)— A member of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti has been reported missing following a battle with criminal gangs in Carrefour-la-Ville, a locality in Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite, on Tuesday, authorities have confirmed.

The spokesperson for the MSS, Jack Ombaka, said in a statement that three armoured vehicles were also destroyed in the battle with members of the “Gran Grif” gang.

One of the armoured vehicles was set ablaze by Haitian criminal gangs on Tuesday.

Ombaka said that on Tuesday afternoon, a Haitian National Police (HNP) armoured vehicle on patrol, got stuck in a ditch, believed to have been “deliberately dug” by gangs.

He said in response, two MSS Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles from Pont-Sonde were dispatched to assist in the recovery.

”Unfortunately, during the recovery operation, one of the MRAPs also got stuck, while the other developed a mechanical issue. As the rescue teams attempted to resolve the situation, the suspected gang members lying in wait launched an attack.

”As a result of the incident, one MSS Kenyan contingent officer remains unaccounted for,” Ombaka added.

Last month, Ombaka described as a “hero” the first casualty of the MSS, who died from injuries sustained during an anti-gang operation.

In a statement then, the MSS said that the anti-gang operation had taken place north of the capital, Port au Prince, in the lower Artibonite region in Segur-Savien in the town of Pont Sonde.

“The officer was immediately airlifted to Aspen Level 2 Hospital but, unfortunately, succumbed to the injuries,” the statement said.

The United Nations (UN) Security Council in 2023 passed a resolution for the Kenya-led MSS Mission, aimed at combating gang violence and restoring stability in the country.

Haiti is facing a crisis following the assassination in July 2021 of the then president Jovenel Moise. Criminal gangs are seeking to take complete control of the capital Port au Prince, and have launched several attacks, killing women and children among others.

The crisis in Haiti will be discussed on Wednesday when United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio travels to Jamaica for talks with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders including Haiti.

The US Special Envoy for Latin America, Mauricio Claver-Carone, speaking ahead of Rubio’s arrival in Kingston, said that the situation in Haiti is also presenting a “challenge” and “obviously, we all know and we share the deep commitment to tackling this challenge in Haiti.

“The Secretary is obviously very familiar with the challenges posed there. It’s an intricate part of the community that the Secretary comes from, and obviously something we’ve been dealing with for a long time; and look to work with our Caribbean neighbours in handling that particular challenge in this regards,” he added.