Former UFC fighter and retired US Green Beret Tim Kennedy was shot three times during an ambush involving a private security team in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to reports.
Kennedy, 47, was wounded in the leg during the attack in South Kivu province on 17 September.
He was evacuated to the United States and is receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center near Washington, DC. Sources familiar with his condition said he was stable and expected to survive.
Kennedy has not publicly commented on the attack, while Walter Reed declined to discuss his treatment.
Attack left about 20 dead or wounded
The ambush targeted a team working for Vectus Global, a security and consulting company operated by Erik Prince, the founder of the now-defunct private military company Blackwater.
Approximately 20 people were killed or wounded in the attack, according to sources cited by Reuters.
Those killed included at least seven Congolese people and Justin Conaglen, a former member of New Zealand’s special forces. Another foreign contractor was reportedly wounded alongside Kennedy.
A Congolese security source said local villagers may also have been among the casualties.
The incident marked the first known casualties suffered by Vectus Global during its operations in the Congo.
A company representative declined to comment.
Rwandan involvement suspected
Vectus Global has been working alongside Congolese forces in the country’s conflict-ridden east.
The company was initially contracted to help protect mining revenues, combat smuggling and improve tax collection. Its role later expanded to include security operations and support for the Congolese military around Uvira.
Three sources told Reuters that the sophistication of the ambush suggested the involvement of Rwandan forces.
One source said forces supporting the M23 rebel group may have tracked a surveillance drone back to the team’s location. Two other sources alleged that the Rwandan military carried out the attack.
The claims have not been independently verified. Rwanda has repeatedly denied supporting M23, although the United Nations and Western governments say it provides assistance and exercises influence over the rebel group.
The Congolese and Rwandan governments and M23 did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Tim Kennedy’s military and MMA career
Kennedy joined the US Army in 2004 and served as a Green Beret. He later moved from active duty to the Texas Army National Guard while continuing his mixed martial arts career.
He competed professionally for approximately 15 years, recording 18 victories and six defeats.
Kennedy fought for several major promotions, including the UFC, Strikeforce and WEC. His opponents included Michael Bisping, Yoel Romero, Luke Rockhold and Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza.
He retired from professional MMA in 2017 and later built a large following through podcasting, television appearances and social media.
The previously undisclosed Congo deployment emerged publicly only after reports of the September ambush began circulating.
Discover more from Daily Mast
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
