Washington DC [US], March 3: Three United States fighter jets were "mistakenly" shot down over Kuwait, the US military has said, amid Washington's joint offensive with the Israeli military against Iran.
Videos that emerged on Monday showed a US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet spinning and spiralling downwards with its tail on fire and smoke trailing behind it. Another video showed two pilots ejecting. They were later seen alive on the ground being helped by locals.
US Central Command (CENTCOM), a US combat command whose area of responsibility includes the Middle East, said three US F-15E Strike Eagles had "mistakenly been shot down" by Kuwaiti air defences "during active combat".
"All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation," a CENTCOM statement published on X said. "The cause of the incident is under investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available," it added.
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defence confirmed that several US aircraft had crashed and authorities were investigating the cause of the incident. A spokesperson said all pilots survived, were taken to hospital and were in stable condition. The ministry said it was coordinating with US forces.
Loud bangs and sirens were also heard in Kuwait early on Monday with a witness quoted by the Reuters news agency saying smoke was seen rising from near the US embassy in Kuwait City. Videos showed rescue crews working at the scene. Kuwaiti authorities said drones had approached the capital. Air defences intercepted a majority of them near the Rumaithiya and Salwa neighbourhoods, the state-run Kuwait News Agency reported, quoting the director general of civil defence.
Source: Qatar Tribune
