Spirit Airlines Flight Under Attack in Haiti

On Monday, a Spirit Airlines flight was forced to divert after it was struck by gunfire from gangs in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The flight had taken off from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was attempting to land when it encountered gunfire. The plane successfully diverted to Santiago, Dominican Republic, where it landed safely. Reports indicate that at least one flight attendant sustained minor injuries from a bullet graze. Following the incident, all flights at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince were grounded due to the escalating violence. This marks the second incident of aircraft being fired upon while flying over Haiti in recent weeks. Previously, a United Nations helicopter was targeted by gunfire while operating in the same airspace. The ongoing violence is a result of rising gang activity in Haiti, which has led to significant unrest and insecurity across the nation. The security situation has prompted the U.S. State Department to issue a 'Level Four: Do Not Travel' advisory for Haiti, highlighting the risks of kidnapping, mob violence, and armed robberies. In addition, a transitional council in Haiti, established to stabilize the political landscape, has struggled due to internal strife amid the country's turmoil. The Haitian government has sought international assistance, including a pledge of police officers from Kenya, to combat gang violence and restore order, but conditions remain dire and efforts have often been hindered by political conflicts.