U.S. Embassy in Haiti evacuates non-essential staff after dramatic escalation in gang violence

(Port-au-Prince)  --  The U.S. Embassy is evacuating non-essential staff members from Haiti as gang violence grips the Caribbean nation.  

The U.S. Southern Command says American military forces are assisting the operation and helping provide security at the request of the State Department. Families of diplomats and others were reportedly being airlifted out of the capital city of Port-au-Prince to safety.

 A post on the Embassy's website Sunday calls the current security situation in Haiti "unpredictable and dangerous." It also advises U.S. citizens not to travel to the country.