Haiti Raid, South Korea Declares Martial Law

THE WAR NEWSLETTER — DEC 3 2024

Today’s email brings you news from Haiti and South Korea.

1 - HAITI

1 thing to know

Kenyan police destroyed the home and HQ of Haitian gang leader of Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier.

The context 

Drone surveillance was used to track the Cherizier's movements back to his headquarters in the Haitian capital of Port-Au-Prince.

The Multinational Security forces stationed on the island, led by Kenyan Police, ambushed him and demolished his house with armored bulldozers. Two of his close associates were killed, but he now remains at large after escaping the raid.

More from the region

Jimmy Cherizier, known as 'Barbecue' for his practice of burning people alive, is a former police officer who is now the head of the city's most feared gang, and has terrorized the city for years - massacring civilians, breaking open prisons, and is accused internationally of dozens of other crimes.

After the 2021 assassination of the Haitian Prime Minister, he, along with other gangs, have exploited the power vacuum, and currently control 80% of the capital.

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TECH SPOTLIGHT: THE BROWNING M2

The Browning M2 is a heavy machine gun designed by John Browning in 1933, known for its reliability, firepower, and versatility. It fires .50 caliber BMG (Browning Machine Gun) ammunition and adopted by the U.S. Army in 1939.

The M2 is capable of delivering high rates of fire, up to 700 rounds per minute, and is employed in a variety of roles, including ground support, anti-aircraft defense, and vehicle-mounted configurations. It has an effective range of up to 2,000 yards.

What it’s used for

The M2 has been used in numerous roles, including infantry support, anti-aircraft guns on ships, and armaments for warplanes, helicopters, and armored vehicles. The gun is used by dozens of militaries all around the world.

2 - SOUTH KOREA

1 thing to know

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law across the nation, then reversed it hours later.

The context 

On Tuesday night, December 3, 2024, President Yoon shocked the nation of South Korea  by declaring martial law, targeting what he called "anti-state forces" among his political opponents. This was the first martial law declaration in South Korea since 1980.

Yoon accused the opposition Democratic Party of sympathizing with North Korea and attempting to paralyze government functions. The martial law decree would have banned political activities, allowed warrantless arrests, and censored media. 

Parliament overwhelmingly rejected the decree, with 190 out of 300 lawmakers voting against it. Troops briefly attempted to enter the parliamentary building, creating a tense standoff.

More from the region

The White House initially expressed "grave concern" about the martial law declaration. Yoon's own ruling party urged him to lift the decree. 

Thousands of protesters gathered outside parliament, celebrating when the martial law was reversed.

The opposition Democratic Party is now calling for Yoon's resignation or impeachment. Yoon has been struggling with low approval ratings (around 20%). His party suffered a significant defeat in April's parliamentary elections.

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