Gang violence escalates in Haiti’s capital

STORY: Gunshots echoed through the streets of Haiti's capital on Thursday as Port-au-Prince went into a state of lockdown…responding to the latest surge in the country’s chronic gang violence.While some residents were forced to shelter in place, others were seen on the streets fleeing with belongings in hand.One told Reuters she ended up with nowhere to go as armed gangs seized control of her house.Eyewitnesses told Reuters — streets had been blocked off by burning tires and rocks…sending large clouds of black smoke into the sky across the city.Violence has escalated for months as gangs fight for power and try to put pressure on interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry before a political accord consolidating his power expires on February 7.There is currently no date set for a new presidential election.It was not immediately clear who was behind the siege on the city's Solino area, which first began several days ago.A police spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The violence also comes ahead of a court decision expected on January 26 on a Kenyan-led multinational force to tackle Haiti’s violence.