Haiti, Mali, Saudi Arabia.

Today's three stories you should know.

Haiti

A senior UN official today called for a specialized international force to be sent into Haiti to combat out-of-control gang violence that has plunged the country into chaos over the last two years. Warring gangs are now estimated to be in control of a staggering 80 percent of the capital Port-au-Prince with civilians caught in the middle, a humanitarian crisis developing and a government barely able to respond. “I found a country bruised by violence, misery, fear and suffering,” William O’Neill said. “It is urgent to take action. The survival of an entire nation is at stake.”

More from AP here.

Mali

At least 13 civilians have been killed by a militia in southeastern Mali just days ahead of a UN vote which is expected to approve a request from Mali that UN peacekeepers leave the country. Mali’s government has for years been battling armed groups with links to ISIS and al-Qaeda but authorities and the public have recently soured against UN troops, saying that they’ve been useless at combatting the groups. Russian mercenary group Wagner has also joined forces with the government to fight the militias, and has recently been accused of carrying out multiple massacres.

More from BBC here.

Saudi Arabia

A gunman was shot dead outside the United States Consulate in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah today after he killed a Nepalese security guard. US and Saudi officials said they were still trying to establish a motive for the attack. The US Consulate in Jeddah has been targeted before, most recently in 2016, and by al-Qaeda in 2004.

More from Al Jazeera here.