El Salvador To Deploy Over 2,000 Soldiers In Haiti To Rescue Missing Salvadoran Military Personnel

WASHINGTON, Oct 29 (NNN-Anadolu) -- El Salvador will deploy more than 2,000 soldiers in Haiti as part of a large-scale operation to rescue four Salvadoran military aviation technicians, the country's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. 

In a statement, the ministry said President Nayib Bukele discussed the operation with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime during a phone call, as well as the continued presence of El Salvador's mission in the Caribbean nation.

Bukele emphasised the forceful nature of the operation to rescue the four military personnel and reaffirmed El Salvador's willingness to continue supporting efforts to combat gangs in Haiti, according to the statement.

The Salvadoran president also thanked the Haitian population and authorities, including local security forces, for their support and cooperation.

The four military aviation technicians disappeared last week following an ambush in gang-controlled areas east of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince.

Haiti has faced years of gang violence and political turmoil, which escalated after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.

--NNN-ANADOLU