Forces linked to Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater, sustained significant casualties in an ambush in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on September 17. At least 20 people were killed or wounded, including former UFC fighter Tim Kennedy, who was shot three times in the leg. The attack highlights Prince's expanded role in Congo's conflict through his company Vectus Global.
The incident underscores the ongoing conflict and instability in eastern Congo, highlighting the involvement of private military actors and the complex geopolitical dynamics involving Rwanda and rebel groups. The casualties among foreign contractors and local forces, coupled with the alleged involvement of state-backed forces, point to the high risks associated with operating in the region and the
Forces associated with Erik Prince, the founder of the private military firm Blackwater, experienced a significant battlefield loss in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on September 17. An ambush resulted in at least 20 casualties, including deaths and wounded individuals. Among the wounded was Tim Kennedy, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship contestant and a veteran special operator, who sustained three gunshot wounds to the leg. Kennedy is currently being treated at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in the suburbs of Washington.
Sources close to the Congolese government and Prince's company, Vectus Global, indicated that the attack occurred in South Kivu. The casualties included at least seven Congolese nationals and a former member of New Zealand's Special Forces, while Kennedy and another foreign contractor were among the wounded. A representative for Vectus Global declined to comment on the incident, which marks the first reported casualties for the company in Congo.
One government source suggested that Rwandan forces, backing the M23 rebels, may have tracked a surveillance drone to locate Prince's team. Other sources directly attributed the ambush to the Rwandan military. Prince's initial mandate in Congo was reportedly to improve revenue collection from the country's mineral resources, but his forces have since deployed to secure areas like Uvira. The size of Prince's contingent in Congo remains unclear. The US State Department stated it has no contracts with Prince in Congo, though it plans to work with Vectus Global in Haiti.
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