MINUSTAH BEGINS TARGET OPERATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 002459 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/EX AND WHA/CAR S/CRS SOUTHCOMALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA) WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/26/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM HA SUBJECT: MINUSTAH BEGINS TARGET OPERATIONS REF: PAP 2424 PORT AU PR 00002459 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Thomas C. Tighe for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the Haitian National Police (HNP) carried out a joint operation in Cite Soleil on the morning of December 22, beginning at approximately 4 a.m. (ref A). MINUSTAH,s A/Deputy Commissioner OPS Neil Warriner is pleased by the political implications of the operation and the dilution of gang leader Belony's strength. However, the UNPOL SWAT and HNP SWAT were unable to arrest any suspects or liberate any hostages. MINUSTAH sources report that the three gang leaders Amaral, Belony, and Evans Jeune met on December 24 to discuss MINUSTAH operations. The operation may not have yielded the intended results, but was significant in showing the public that the GoH and MINUSTAH are taking preemptive action to battle insecurity and wipe out the gangs. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Targeted operations against notorious Cite Soleil gang leaders began in the early morning on December 22. The purpose of this operation was to release kidnapping victims held by gang leader Belony, destroy Belony,s base of operations (his girlfriend,s home) and separate two sections of the Cite Soleil slum, Bois Neuf and Drouillard, so that bad elements from both sections could not unite against the police. ¶3. (C) Warriner considers the December 22 operation "politically successful" if not operationally fully complete. According to Warriner, Belony,s brother and eight other Belony loyalists were killed during the operation, with one other gang member injured. MINUSTAH sources also indicate that the &less loyal8 Belony gang members have abandoned their compatriot, weakening Belony,s strength in Bois Neuf. According Radio Metropole, 30 residents were wounded during the confrontation. Warriner was unable to confirm this. ¶4. (C) The primary objectives and targets were not reached because a number of large rocks that were placed along the route Impasse Chavanne which leads to Belony,s home. The Brazilian battalion removed the boulders shortly before the operation began but the community replaced them within five minutes. Warriner stated that there were six feet of rocks on a seven-foot road when the Chinese Force Protection Unit (FPU) arrived. In addition to the large rocks, members of Belony,s gang built a large trench that made the road impassable for an armored personnel carrier (APC). Warriner complained that the military did not make Impasse Chavanne passable, thus, the operation was jeopardized. The UNPOL SWAT and HNP SWAT were unable to arrest any suspects or liberate any hostage. (Note: Warriner also cited other problems during the operation. The FPUs reported that green uniformed persons were in the area and inquired if they were Brazilian troops. The OPS officer falsely reported that no troops were along Impasse Chavanne. FPUs then fired on the Brazilian battalion. The incident is under investigation. End Note.) ¶5. (C) During the operation, technical problems forced MINUSTAH to abandon one APC. Inside the AP, were two Russian machine guns that, in Warriner,s opinion, are "useable but not useful" because they rely on electric current. Also in the vehicle were a sniper rifle, 1400 rounds of ammunition, and four percussion grenades. (Note: The APC was recovered by MINUSTAH without the weaponry. At that time, a bandit who was hidden inside with his own weapons was arrested. End Note.) ¶6. (C) Currently, the eleven APCs remain on route 9 between checkpoints 16 and 21, with no vehicle traffic permitted. Motorcycle and bicycle traffic are further prohibited between checkpoints 19 and 20, which encompasses Impasse Chavanne. In addition to this limitation, all individuals that leave are asked for identification and are told that they will not be permitted to return. No one is allowed entry into the Bois Neuf or Drouillard sections of Cite Soleil. Warriner says that this is a way to protect the residents of the area. They have started a &rumor campaign8 that those who do not PORT AU PR 00002459 002.2 OF 002 want to be a part of the confrontation should leave the area. ¶7. (C) Warriner is concerned, however, that they have not put enough pressure on Belony. He and other gang members maintain movement along the canal, which borders the back of the Bois Neuf section. MINUSTAH sources informed Warriner that the three gang leaders Amaral, Belony, and Evans Jeune met on December 24 to discuss MINUSTAH operations. Belony was losing faith in gang leader Jeune but if MINUSTAH does not put pressure on Belony, the two may be able to repair their rift. ¶8. (C) Warriner has stated that MINUSTAH UNPOL will continue its targeted operation against Belony and will then target Amaral. SRSG Edmond Mulet would like an operation targeting Amaral underway before school reopens and parliament reconvenes on January 8. ¶9. (SBU) Comment: GoH and MINUSTAH have finally responded to the public's cry for strong action against the gangs responsible for the insecurity in Port-au-Prince. The targeted operations are likely to maintain public support as long as they continue to focus on notorious gang leaders and avoid casualties of the innocent. End Comment. TIGHE