Former UFC fighter and retired U.S. Army Green Beret Tim Kennedy was shot three times in the leg during a September 17 ambush in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo involving forces working for Blackwater founder Erik Prince, Reuters reported October 9.
The attack in South Kivu province left about 20 people dead or wounded, according to sources who spoke with Reuters. At least seven Congolese nationals and a former member of New Zealand’s special forces were among those killed, while Kennedy and another foreign contractor were wounded. Kennedy is being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center near Washington.
Deadly Ambush Revealed Weeks Later
Although the attack occurred more than three weeks ago, the involvement of Prince’s forces and the scale of the casualties had not previously been reported, according to Reuters.
Prince operates in Congo through Vectus Global, a company providing consulting and security services in several countries.
A source with direct knowledge of the September 17 operation told Reuters that the Vectus team was traveling between locations when it was ambushed.
One source working with the Congolese government said forces supporting the M23 rebel group may have located the team by tracking a surveillance drone to its operators. Another source with direct knowledge of the attack said its sophistication suggested Rwandan forces were involved, while two additional sources blamed the Rwandan military directly, reported Reuters.
Those allegations have not been independently confirmed. Representatives for the governments of Congo and Rwanda, as well as M23, did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
A Congolese security source also said villagers were likely among the roughly 20 people killed or wounded.
Kennedy Survived Three Gunshots
Kennedy survived three gunshot wounds to the leg, three sources told Reuters.
He is receiving treatment at Walter Reed, although neither the medical center nor the U.S. State Department commented on his condition. Kennedy’s parents also did not respond to Reuters.
Kennedy served as a U.S. Army Green Beret before becoming a professional mixed martial arts fighter. He competed in Strikeforce and the UFC and later developed a large social media and podcast following.
Vectus Global declined Reuters’ request for comment. A source with direct knowledge of its Congo operations said the company had not previously suffered casualties in the country.
Prince’s Role Expanded From Minerals To Front Lines
Prince’s original mission in Congo centered on the country’s vast mineral resources.
Reuters reported in April 2025 that Prince had reached an agreement with the Congolese government aimed at improving mineral-tax collection and curbing cross-border smuggling.
His role later expanded.
In February, Reuters reported that Prince deployed private security personnel and drone operators to help Congolese forces secure Uvira, a strategic city near the Burundi border, after Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 rebels withdrew.
That operation represented the first known frontline involvement of Prince’s private security personnel in Congo. Contractors provided drone support to Congolese special operations forces and the military, according to Reuters.
The State Department said at the time that the U.S. government had no contracts with Prince or his companies in Congo.
The size of Vectus Global’s force in the country remains unclear.
Rwanda, M23 Remain At Center Of Conflict
The allegations surrounding the September ambush come amid continued scrutiny of Rwanda’s relationship with M23.
The Dallas Express reported in March that the Treasury Department sanctioned the Rwanda Defence Force and four senior officials over their support for M23.
Treasury said the Rwandan military was “actively supporting, training, and fighting alongside” M23 and had helped the group capture territory, including Goma, Bukavu, and strategic mining sites.
Rwanda has denied supporting M23. The United Nations and Western governments have accused Rwanda of backing the group.
Diplomatic efforts have continued without ending the fighting. An African Union delegation met AFC/M23 leaders this week and called for continued engagement in peace negotiations, Reuters reported October 7.
Recent clashes have remained concentrated in parts of South Kivu’s highlands and North Kivu’s Masisi territory despite U.S., African Union, and Qatari mediation efforts.
The September 17 ambush now marks the first reported casualties suffered by Vectus Global in Congo and provides the clearest indication to date of the risks Prince’s expanding operation faces on the front lines.
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