At least 20 killed or injured, including popular UFC fighter, as mercenary forces of US Blackwater founder ambushed in Africa

DAILYMAIL.COM • 7h ago

By JAMES GORDON, US NEWS REPORTER 04:49 10 Oct 2026, updated 04:50 10 Oct 2026

Blackwater founder Erik Prince’s forces suffered a major battlefield loss in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo when enemy forces ambushed them, killing and wounding at least 20 people, including a popular former UFC fighter.

The frontline clash shows how Prince, an ally and supporter of President Donald Trump, has taken on an expanded role in the Congo through his company Vectus Global.

The company, which also operates in Haiti and other parts of Africa, provides consulting and security services and previously helped Congo’s army secure the city of Uvira in South Kivu against Rwanda-backed rebels who control swathes of the east.

A veteran special operator reported on his podcast earlier this week that former US Green Beret and Ultimate Fighting Championship contestant Tim Kennedy was injured in Congo.

Kennedy, the former mixed martial arts fighter, survived the attack with three gunshot wounds to the leg, three sources said, and is being treated at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in the suburbs of Washington.

Kennedy has a popular podcast channel and millions of followers on social media. Trump is a fan of UFC, hosting fights at the White House this year.

The involvement of Prince’s forces and the number of casualties had not previously been reported.

The attack in South Kivu on September 17 left about 20 dead and wounded, two sources working with Congo’s government said.

How Strictly's Graeme Hall has landed in the doghouse: KATIE HIND558 viewing nowPrince Harry enjoys a beer in the stands at rugby match1.4K viewing now Tim Kennedy, a former UFC fighter and retired Green Beret, was among several people killed and wounded while working for Blackwater founder Erik Prince in the Congo. He is pictured at the White House in May 2025 Former UFC fighter and US Green Beret Tim Kennedy, pictured alongside President Donald Trump, has close ties to the president. They are seen together in April 2025 Former US Green Beret and UFC fighter Tim Kennedy was shot three times in the leg when a team working for Blackwater founder Erik Prince was ambushed in DR CongoThe dead included at least seven Congolese and a former member of ⁠New Zealand’s Special Forces, while the wounded included Kennedy and another foreign contractor, the sources said.

A Vectus Global representative declined to comment. The company has not previously suffered casualties in Congo, a source with direct knowledge of the operation said.

One of the sources who works for Congo’s government said that Rwandan forces backing the M23 rebels may have surprised them by tracking a drone used for surveillance operations to their location.

Spokespeople for the Congolese and Rwandan governments and for the M23 did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The US State Department and Walter Reed declined to comment. Kennedy’s parents did not respond to requests for comment.

A Congolese security source, who said some 20 people were wounded and killed in the attack, added that villagers were likely among the casualties as well.

Reuters spoke to at least 10 sources either with direct knowledge of the attack or briefed ⁠on the outcome.

Prince’s initial mandate in Congo was to secure and improve revenue collection from the country’s vast mineral reserves, which have been plundered for decades, fueling relentless conflict in the east.

But in January and early February, his forces deployed to Uvira after Washington helped broker a deal for Rwandan-backed rebels to withdraw from the strategic town.

The size of Prince’s forces in Congo is unclear.

One of the sources with direct knowledge of the attack said the Vectus team was traveling between locations when the ambush took place and its sophistication suggested Rwandan forces were involved.

‘It reinforces the need for DRC sovereignty to be restored. It’s an incredibly dangerous ⁠place right now,’ the source said.

Two other sources said the ambush was carried out by the Rwandan military.

Prince is the founder of now-defunct private military firm Blackwater, some of whose members were pardoned in 2020 for killing Iraqi civilians.

The State Department has said it does not have any contracts with Prince in Congo, though US officials have said they plan to work more closely with Vectus Global in Haiti.

The deal for Rwandan-backed rebels to withdraw from Uvira was ⁠part of wider agreements brokered by the Trump administration to try to end the conflict in eastern Congo.

Kennedy, a father of four, has posted his views on politics, culture, fitness and more on social media. He also runs a popular YouTube podcast in which he interviews UFC fighters, veterans, cultural disruptors and others.

He has often posted about his family, including four young children. In late August, he posted about ⁠having ‘incredible conversations about what being a man means and what sacrifice really looks like’ with his son.

He did not disclose details about his upcoming trip to Congo.

The United Nations and Western powers say Rwanda backs M23, even exercising command and control over the group. Rwanda denies this.

Fighting in the decades-long conflict flared early last year, with M23 fighters making rapid gains in the east, which is rich in tantalum, gold, lithium and other minerals.

Boy, 15, and father are fighting for their lives in hospital after being stabbed by masked men who…

Farmer who was renowned for sharing his business struggles dies aged 35 after starrring role on BBC…

Celebrity plastic surgeon is executed in front of customers in Marbella clinic after ‘threats from a…

King pays Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s £1.5million bill to repair Royal Lodge – after former prince…

Kate and William wow the crowds as they charm royal fans on surprise visit to Belfast

Meghan, Harry and the children WON’T stay in UK for Christmas with King Charles – heading back to…

‘Traveller’ burglary squad strikes again: Terrifying moment balaclava-clad gang linked to 50…

Houthis ‘destroy Saudi passenger jet’ killing pilot at Riyadh’s international airport as Iran-backed…

British mother who broke her back in Greece when car slammed into her quadbike is left with £28,000…

Student riots spread to Belgium as hundreds of hooded protesters clash with police sparking ‘total…

Woman, 35, found in burning van after being ‘murdered’ was pregnant – and ‘could have been alive…

Father had e-bike battery repaired before it sparked house fire that killed his two young children…

Harry was paid ‘up to $100K’ for coping with grief ‘masterclass’: Prince pocketed fee as a…

Mother of 11-year-old girl found dead in village park suffering ‘every parent’s worst nightmare’

Burnham’s government hits out at Hegseth’s ‘disturbing’ plan to livestream firing squad execution -…

Monkey torturer who ran online ‘cult’ that dressed animals as babies and fed them into blenders is…

At least 20 killed or injured, including popular UFC fighter in AfricaComments are subject to our House rules and TermsNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}

No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first.

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{#replies.comments}}{{^isLast}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/isLast}}{{#isLast}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/isLast}}{{/replies.comments}}{{/replies.totalCount}}{{^replies.totalCount}}{{initials}}{{userAlias}}, United Kingdom, {{formattedDateAndTime}}{{message}}

{{upVotes}}{{downVotes}}{{/replies.totalCount}}{{/isComment}}The opinions and views expressed in the comments section are solely those of the individual users and do not represent or reflect the opinions, views, or positions of MailOnline. MailOnline does not endorse, support, or verify the accuracy of any user-generated content.Terms|Privacy|FeedbackOldest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}}