Key facts
- El Salvador deployed over 2,000 soldiers to Haiti.
- The mission aims to rescue four missing Salvadoran nationals.
- Troops will also assist in anti-gang security efforts.
- The four soldiers were ambushed in an area controlled by armed groups.
- Over 5,700 people have been killed in gang violence in Haiti this year.
El Salvador has deployed more than 2,000 soldiers to Haiti in a mission to retrieve four nationals who went missing nearly two weeks ago. President Nayib Bukele informed Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime of the "robust deployment" earlier this week, with the troops also tasked to assist in ongoing security efforts against gangs. The four missing soldiers, part of a UN-backed anti-gang organization, were ambushed in an area controlled by armed groups known as Croix-des-Bouquets. No gang has claimed responsibility for the incident. The Salvadoran foreign ministry stated the "large-scale operation" has support from various countries and international organizations.