Breaking News: Intense fighting reported in Zémio between Russian Wagner Group mercenaries and FACA soldiers on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

Reported on June 24, 2026.

In an unexpected turn of events, fierce combat erupted in the heart of Zémio on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, commencing around 7:50 PM. The confrontation directly pitted elements of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) against their nominal allies, the Russian mercenaries of the Wagner Group.

The security landscape in the southeastern Central African Republic has once again taken a dramatic shift. This Wednesday evening, at approximately 19h50, a sudden breakdown in relations occurred within Zémio’s central district, as FACA soldiers and Wagner Group mercenaries exchanged fire. What were previously shared positions rapidly transformed into active front lines. The thunderous sounds of heavy and light weaponry plunged the local populace into sheer terror.

These ongoing hostilities stem from an increasingly strained cohabitation in the Haut-Mbomou region. Since the beginning of 2025, the relationship between national forces and Russian operatives has seen continuous deterioration, culminating tonight in open urban warfare. This development significantly complicates the regional security situation. While a fragile calm has momentarily settled, the trajectory of the conflict remains entirely uncertain.

Our latest intelligence, gathered from local sources, indicates a preliminary casualty count, including one civilian fatality: a woman tragically killed, likely by a stray bullet amidst the intense exchanges. On the military side, two FACA soldiers sustained serious injuries during the engagement. Further comprehensive details and updates on the situation’s evolution will be provided in subsequent reports.