Three US fighter jets taking part in Iran strikes crash in Kuwait; pilots safe
World
CENTCOM says three US F-15 fighter jets crashed in Kuwait during operations, with all six aircrew safely recovered as regional tensions escalate.
KUWAIT CITY/TAMPA (Web Desk/Reuters) – The US military has confirmed that three American fighter jets went down over Kuwait late Sunday during active operations in the region, with all six crew members safely recovered.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the incident occurred at 11:03 pm Eastern Time on March 1 when three US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury were lost due to what officials described as an apparent friendly fire incident.
CENTCOM said the aircraft were mistakenly engaged by Kuwaiti air defences during intense combat activity that included attacks involving Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones.
“All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition,” the command said in a statement, adding that the cause of the incident remains under investigation.
The US military also expressed appreciation for Kuwaiti defence forces for their support in the ongoing operation.
Earlier on Monday, Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence said several US military aircraft had crashed in the country but confirmed that all crew members survived and were in stable condition as regional tensions intensified.
In a separate development, smoke was seen rising near the US Embassy compound in Kuwait City, according to a Reuters witness, with fire engines and ambulances deployed to the area. US officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the embassy incident.
Kuwait also said its air defences intercepted hostile drones earlier in the day, marking the third consecutive day of Iranian retaliatory strikes against Gulf states following US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
The defence ministry said the response was carried out in coordination with US forces but did not specify the number of aircraft involved in the crashes.
Iranian state media, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed Iranian forces had struck a US aircraft that later crashed in Kuwait.
Falling debris injures workers
Two workers suffered minor injuries after falling debris struck Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, the Kuwait National Petroleum Company said on X.
Online video verified by Reuters from Kuwait’s Al Jahra area showed a military aircraft falling from the sky while a parachute was visible in the same frame.
Kuwaiti civil defence officials said most incoming drones were intercepted near the Rumaithiya and Salwa areas with no casualties reported from those interceptions.
The US Embassy in Kuwait issued a security alert warning American citizens of a continuing threat from missile and drone attacks and urged them to shelter in place and avoid travelling to the embassy.
Witnesses reported loud explosions and sirens earlier in Kuwait, while similar blasts were heard in Dubai and Doha as the regional conflict continued to widen following Tehran’s warning that US bases in the region would be targeted.
