World · Africa · 2 days ago
Ambush in eastern Congo leaves at least 20 Vectus team members dead or wounded
An ambush in South Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on September 17 killed or wounded about 20 people working with Vectus Global, a security company founded by Erik Prince.
Former UFC fighter and retired US Green Beret Tim Kennedy was among the wounded and was being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center near Washington.
The dead included at least seven Congolese people and a former member of New Zealand’s Special Forces.
Vectus had previously helped Congo’s army secure the town of Uvira, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have fought government forces.
Sources said Rwandan forces may have been involved, but the governments of Congo and Rwanda and M23 did not immediately comment.
The attack highlights the risks of Vectus’s expanded role in Congo’s conflict; the size of its forces there is unclear.
Sources close to the Congolese government and Erik Prince’s company say an ambush in South Kivu on September 17 killed and wounded about 20 people working with Prince’s Vectus Global.
The wounded reportedly included former UFC fighter and retired US Green Beret Tim Kennedy, who was shot three times in the leg and is being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The reported dead included at least seven Congolese people and a former member of New Zealand’s Special Forces; one source said villagers may also have been among the casualties.
Sources said the Vectus team was travelling between locations when it was attacked, and suggested that Rwanda-backed forces may have tracked a surveillance drone to the team.
Vectus Global declined to comment, while spokespeople for the Congolese and Rwandan governments and the M23 did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
- Who
- Vectus Global personnel, including wounded former UFC fighter Tim Kennedy; sources said the dead included at least seven Congolese people and a former New Zealand Special Forces member.
- What
- An ambush that reportedly killed and wounded about 20 people.
- When
- September 17, 2026, according to the articles.
- Where
- South Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Why
- Not stated
Sources alleging Rwandan involvement
Rwanda and M23
Who carried out the ambush
Sources alleging Rwandan involvement
Two sources said the Rwandan military carried out the attack; another source said Rwandan forces backing M23 may have tracked a surveillance drone to the team’s location.
Rwanda and M23
Rwandan and M23 representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment, so their account is not provided in the articles.
It reinforces the need for DRC sovereignty to be restored. It's an incredibly dangerous place right now.
Prince’s forces deployed to Uvira after Washington helped broker a deal for Rwanda-backed rebels to withdraw from the town.
Kennedy posted on social media about conversations with his son; he did not disclose details of his upcoming trip to Congo.
An ambush in South Kivu reportedly killed and wounded about 20 people, including Kennedy, who was shot three times in the leg.
The Straits Times and Sherdog published reports about the ambush and Kennedy’s reported injuries.
- Reported attack date
- September 17, 2026
- Reported location
- South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Reported casualties
- About 20 killed and wounded
- Kennedy’s reported injuries
- Three gunshot wounds to the leg
- Company linked to Prince’s forces
- Vectus Global
Sources
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