ARMED GROUPS LAUNCH FRESH ROUND OF ATTACKS IN HAITI, INCLUDING NEAR NATIONAL PALACE

A deadly alliance of armed groups continues to tighten its grip on Haiti’s capital, launching a series of coordinated and simultaneous attacks Monday around Portau-prince, including near the National Palace.

At least four police officers were injured during the attacks not far from the capital’s downtown, and were being treated at a local hospital, the Miami Herald confirmed. In a voice note circulating on the Whatsapp messaging platform, an unidentified policeman said five of them were in an armored vehicle when everyone except for him was shot. The vehicle, he said, had refused to start.

In a video on social media, an armed man wearing a camouflage ski mask could be seen commandeering the armored vehicle as he credits gang leader “Izo 5 Segonn” — Izo Five Seconds — for the attack. In another video, the armored car is shown going up in flames. A Haiti National Police spokesman could not be reached by the Herald for comment.

Heavy gunfire was reported in Pernier, not far from the U.S. Embassy in metropolitan Port-au-prince, and in the capital’s downtown. Late Monday, armed gunmen had not gained access to the palace, but there were reports that they were surrounding the area and the situation remained dangerous.

A Herald video of the scene showed fearful Haitians running across the Champ-deMars as high-powered weapons were being fired.

Staring on Feb. 29 gangs have targeted police stations, schools, hospitals and key government sites, including the international and domestic airports and main seaport, after successfully orchestrating a massive break of the country’s two largest prisons.

The monthlong siege has forced more than 15,000 people from their homes in recent weeks, leading to more than 362,000 becoming internally displaced.