PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) — The Haitian National Police (PNH) said they had regained control of the town of Mirebalais, 30 miles northeast of the capital, after heavily armed members of the “Viv ansanm” gang burnt several houses and vehicles, and fired automatic weapons indiscriminately killing and injuring several residents.

PNH deputy spokesperson, Lionel Lazarre, said that the gang members had on Monday attacked the police station, forcing the understaffed police officers to flee and setting fire to the premises. He said they also stormed the Mirebalais civil prison and opened all the cells, resulting in the escape of more than 500 prisoners.

In a video posted on social media, a man is seen hoisting an automatic rifle as people around him yelled, “We broke out the prisoners!” Soon after, they began chanting, “They can’t stop us!”

The action of the gang members caused widespread panic, forcing many families to flee to neighbouring towns, including Lascahobas, Boucan-Carré and Hinche. The action forced the closure of schools, shops, public markets, and supermarkets. Public transportation was also paralysed.

The PNH said that faced with this offensive, members of a local resistance group, supported by the police, attempted to repel the attackers but ultimately retreated due to the bandits’ firepower.

Lazarre said that SWAT units and members of the elite Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI) were transported by helicopter to Mirebalai and were able to repel the attackers.

He said the police station and the civilian prison were recaptured and that several of the gang members were killed. Firearms and ammunition were also recovered by the PNH.

Lazarre confirmed that the town of Mirebalais is now under control and that several specialised PNH units have been deployed to the area.

Criminal gangs have been seeking to overthrow the government ever since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

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