US commercial plane attacked in Haiti, Washington issues urgent orders

Two US commercial aircraft were attacked in Haiti on November 11, forcing the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue an emergency grounding order.

One of the planes of the US low-cost airline Spirit Airlines was hit by gunfire while landing at the international airport in the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, on November 11. (Illustration photo - Source: Bloomberg)

CNBC reported that in the FAA's announcement, the ban applies to all US civil airlines operating in Haiti's territory and airspace below an altitude of 3,048 m for 30 days.

On the same day, according to Mr. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, all UN flights to Haiti have also been suspended.

The move comes after a plane operated by the US low-cost airline Spirit Airlines was hit by gunfire while landing at the international airport in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, on November 11.

The plane, departing from Fort Lauderdale (Florida, USA) had to change course and land safely at Santiago airport, Dominican Republic.

According to Spirit Airlines, one flight attendant suffered minor injuries while all passengers were safe.

On the same day, a JetBlue Airways plane returning from Port-au-Prince was found to have signs of gunshot wounds after landing in New York.

The security situation in Haiti has deteriorated in recent months. In October, gang members opened fire on a UN helicopter, forcing several airlines to temporarily cancel flights to the Caribbean nation.

The suspension of all UN flights has restricted the movement of staff and humanitarian assistance, and the delivery of 20 trucks of food and medical supplies to southern Haiti has also been delayed.

Armed groups in Haiti are rampaging through the streets of the capital Port-au-Prince, with at least 20 armed clashes, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Multiple roadblocks have been set up across the city, restricting movement.

Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince has been closed until November 18. The seaport remains open, but is currently inaccessible by road.

The office warned that the escalating violence in Haiti was worsening an already dire humanitarian situation. Statistics showed that since October 17, more than 4,200 people have been forced to leave their homes, many of whom are taking refuge in schools, churches and health centers.

The violence has displaced some 700,000 people and left more than 5 million facing starvation. All schools in the capital Port-au-Prince have now closed.

The violence has also forced the cancellation of cash transfers to 1,000 people. In light of this, the UN has called for an end to the escalating violence in Haiti, creating favorable conditions for sustained humanitarian relief and protection of civilians.

In another development, on November 11, Haiti's Transitional Council appointed businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, a former Senate candidate supported by the Verite political party, as the new Prime Minister to replace Garry Conille, who was ousted after only 5 months in power.

During his inauguration ceremony the same day, interim Prime Minister Fils-Aime pledged to do his utmost to restore security in Haiti.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/may-bay-thuong-mai-my-bi-tan-cong-o-haiti-washington-ra-lenh-nong-293563.html