Armed members of the "G9 and Family" gang march against Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on September 19, 2023. (Photo: AP)

The decision follows repeated calls by Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry for military assistance to restore order.

13 members of the 15-member council voted in favor of the resolution, with Russia and China abstaining.

Though approved by the UN Security Council, the force will not formally be under UN control. It is expected to be led by Kenya, which has pledged 1,000 police to spearhead the mission.

The mission is to strengthen local security and reinforce the Haitian National Police in its pursuit of the gangs. Haiti’s security forces already receive some international support but remain understaffed and outgunned.

Warring gangs control much of Port-au-Prince – Haiti’s capital city and main port – choking off vital supply lines to the rest of the country.