The US embassy said Haiti’s main airport was temporarily closed on Monday as gangs tried to take control; the same day that a new interim prime minister is expected to take over the helm of a country facing a wave of violence.

Clashes broke out between gangs and police in parts of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince; Heavily armed police officers hid behind walls while civilians fled in fear. In other upper-class neighborhoods, gangs set houses on fire.

The United States Embassy in Haiti issued a travel alert stating that the city’s airport was closed due to “gang-led efforts to prevent travel to and from Port-au-Prince, which may include armed violence and disruptions to roads, ports, and cities.” airports.”

This follows reports that gangs opened fire on a Spirit flight from Florida early Monday. Photos shared Associated Press The plane was reported to have bullet holes, but The Associated Press was not immediately able to confirm the incident with authorities.

The turmoil came a day after a council aiming to restore democratic order in the Caribbean nation fired interim prime minister Garry Conille, who was at odds with the council, and replaced him with businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. The council has experienced infighting and three members were recently accused of corruption.

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