Kenyan security officers leading the multinational mission in Haiti have carried out a major operation that restored government control of the TELECO site in Kenscoff.
The raid, which stretched through the night of August 24 into the early hours of August 25, was conducted jointly with the Haitian National Police and ended with the removal of heavily armed gangs who had entrenched themselves at the location.
The site had been under threat for weeks. Perched high in the mountains above Port-au-Prince, TELECO is not just a telecoms hub but also home to antennas and radar equipment managed by Haiti’s Civil Aviation Office.
This technology is used to monitor the skies and guide flights. Losing control of the site had raised fears about disruptions to air traffic and communication services across the country.
Jack Ombaka, the mission’s spokesperson, said the raid was carefully coordinated and executed with precision. Armed officers advanced through the area, engaging in gun battles with the gangs before successfully seizing the compound.
He explained that gangs had targeted TELECO for a long time, trying to seize it as a bargaining tool, but the coordinated operation sent a strong message that they would no longer be allowed to operate unchecked.
Weapons seized during the mission included AK-47s, several M-16 rifles with erased serial numbers, a Galil AC-22, and an American-made M-4 Bushmaster.
Security officers also collected more than 1,500 rounds of ammunition, tear-gas grenades, and communication radios. The discovery of military-grade firearms with tampered serial numbers has raised questions about how the gangs obtained such supplies.
Residents who had been trapped by roadblocks around Kenscoff welcomed the operation. Once the gangs were pushed back, officers immediately cleared barricades, allowing people to move freely again.
For many families in the region, this was the first sign of relief after months of tension and intimidation.
Several gang members captured
Recent reports confirm that several gang members were killed or captured in the raid. The Haitian Times noted that the gang coalition Viv Ansanm had been behind the attempted takeover, aiming to control both communication and aviation systems.
The Associated Press also described the recapture as one of the rare successes for Haitian authorities in recent years, given that gangs control nearly 90 per cent of Port-au-Prince.
End of mission
The Kenyan-led multinational mission has become central to Haiti’s fragile security efforts. Its mandate, however, is due to expire in October 2025.
Discussions are underway to convert the mission into a fully UN-funded peacekeeping force, a move that would provide stable financing, more equipment, and a stronger troop presence.
Without this transition, the mission risks running into logistical and financial challenges that could slow down future operations.
For now, the recapture of TELECO is being celebrated as a turning point. Haitian authorities have reassured the public that the country’s air traffic system and communication services are once again secure.
The multinational force has promised more targeted operations to dismantle gang networks, restore state authority, and ensure that vital installations like TELECO remain protected.
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