A private military force led by Erik Prince, founder of the controversial security firm Blackwater, was ambushed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on September 17, resulting in at least 20 casualties, including a former UFC fighter and a foreign contractor. The attack occurred in South Kivu province, where Prince’s company Vectus Global has been operating in coordination with Congolese forces against Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
Former US Green Beret and UFC fighter Tim Kennedy was among those wounded, sustaining three gunshot wounds to the leg. Kennedy, a retired special operator with a large social media following, is currently receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland. Two sources with direct knowledge of the operation confirmed Kennedy’s injuries, though his condition has not been publicly disclosed. A Vectus Global representative declined to comment on the incident.
The ambush targeted a team that included Congolese personnel, foreign contractors, and at least one former member of New Zealand’s Special Forces, according to sources close to the Congolese government. One of these sources suggested that Rwandan forces backing the M23 rebels may have tracked a surveillance drone to the team’s location, leading to the attack. Spokespeople for the Congolese government, Rwandan government, and M23 rebels did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Prince, a prominent ally of former US President Donald Trump, has expanded Vectus Global’s operations in Africa, including engagements in Haiti and the DRC. Vectus previously assisted Congolese forces in securing the city of Uvira against M23 rebels, who control large portions of eastern DRC. The company’s involvement in the region had not previously been reported as a source of casualties.
The attack marks the first known combat losses for Vectus Global in the DRC, according to a source with direct knowledge of the operation. The September 17 ambush left seven Congolese personnel dead, along with the foreign contractor, while Kennedy and another contractor were injured. The total number of wounded and killed has not been independently verified by outside sources.
Vectus Global’s role in the DRC has drawn scrutiny due to Prince’s political connections and the firm’s history in conflict zones. The company provides security consulting and training services, often operating alongside government forces. Critics have raised concerns about the accountability and oversight of private military contractors in volatile regions, while supporters argue such forces can provide critical support in counterinsurgency operations.
The incident underscores the escalating violence in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels—backed by Rwanda—have intensified clashes with Congolese forces. The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and drawn regional tensions between the DRC and Rwanda. International observers have called for de-escalation, but no ceasefire has been established.