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Belgian A400M Transport Plane Targeted Over Port-au-Prince
A Belgian Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas military transport aircraft came under fire while on a United Nations support mission in Haiti on April 25, 2026, according to Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken. The aircraft, carrying approximately 80 Chadian soldiers deployed as part of the UN-backed multinational security mission, landed safely in the Dominican Republic with bullet damage but no casualties. The incident underscores the extreme dangers facing international peacekeeping forces in Haiti, where gang violence has spiraled out of control.
The flight originated from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and was destined for Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital. After dropping off the troops, the crew returned to the Dominican Republic, where ground crews discovered at least two bullet impacts — one on the tail section and another near an engine. The Belgian Ministry of Defence believes the aircraft was fired upon shortly before landing in Haiti. A second planned flight was cancelled as a precautionary measure, and the damaged aircraft returned safely to Melsbroek Air Base in Belgium after temporary repairs.
Background: Haiti's Unrelenting Gang Crisis
Haiti has been engulfed in a severe security crisis since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, with armed gangs now controlling an estimated 80-90% of Port-au-Prince. According to the United Nations, over 8,100 killings were documented between January and November 2025 alone, while 5.7 million people face acute food insecurity. The violence has displaced 1.4 million people and forced the closure of 1,600 schools. The UN mission in Haiti has struggled to contain the chaos, with gangs using sexual violence as a systematic weapon and drone attacks becoming increasingly common.
The international community responded with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699 in October 2023, authorizing a Kenya-led multinational security support mission. Belgium contributed logistical support, including transport aircraft, as part of this effort. The mission has made limited tactical gains, but security remains precarious. In late March 2026, a separate attack on a UN patrol killed two peacekeepers, highlighting the persistent threats faced by international forces.
The A400M Incident: What Happened?
The Belgian Air Force operates a fleet of eight A400M Atlas aircraft (one formally belonging to Luxembourg) from the 15th Air Transport Wing at Melsbroek Airfield near Brussels. These aircraft are the backbone of Belgium's strategic airlift capability, regularly undertaking missions worldwide. The flight on April 25 was classified as high-risk due to Haiti's volatile security environment, with crews instructed to minimize ground time in Port-au-Prince.
According to Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken, the crew remained safe throughout the ordeal. "The crew is safe and sound," Francken stated on social media, confirming the incident. The bullet damage was only discovered upon return to the Dominican Republic, as the aircraft's systems remained fully operational. Investigators are now examining the aircraft to determine the exact circumstances of the attack. The Belgian military aviation community has expressed concern over the increasing risks faced by transport crews in conflict zones.
Impact on the UN Mission and Regional Security
The shooting of a military transport aircraft marks a significant escalation in the threats against international forces in Haiti. Gangs have previously targeted helicopters and aircraft approaching the international airport in Port-au-Prince, but this is one of the first confirmed attacks on a fixed-wing military transport. The incident raises questions about the safety of airlift operations supporting the UN mission and may prompt a review of flight procedures.
Belgium has not indicated whether it will withdraw its aircraft from the mission, but the cancellation of the second planned flight suggests heightened caution. The multinational security force in Haiti