Three U.S. F-15 fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses on Monday, March 2, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command. The incident occurred as the region remains on high alert amid escalating conflict with Iran. All six aircrew members safely ejected.
Video footage emerged showing a twin-engine aircraft spiraling downwards before crashing approximately six miles from Alí as-Sálim Air Base in Kuwait. “During active combat, which included attacks by Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones, U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,” CENTCOM stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.
According to Reuters, Kuwaiti forces were intercepting hostile drones launched by Iran towards Gulf states on Monday, the third consecutive day of retaliatory attacks following U.S. And Israeli strikes on Iranian territory.
Following the downing of the American fighter jets, “relevant authorities immediately launched search and rescue operations and proceeded to evacuate the crews and transport them to hospital,” a spokesperson for the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense said, adding that the pilots’ condition was “stable.”
Meanwhile, the Iranian army announced, via AFP, that it had attacked Alí As-Sálim Air Base in Kuwait with fifteen guided missiles and targeted “enemy ships” in the northern Indian Ocean.
Fire Reported Near U.S. Embassy
Witnesses in Kuwait City reported seeing smoke rising from the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy, with one embassy employee living nearby confirming the presence of smoke. Initial reports from the Associated Press indicated uncertainty about whether the embassy had been directly hit, but later stated that smoke and fire were visible within the compound.
“There remains a threat of missile and drone attacks over Kuwait. Do not approach the embassy grounds. Shelter in place in the lowest possible level of your homes, away from windows. Do not go outside. U.S. Embassy personnel are sheltering in place,” a statement from the embassy, cited by AFP, read. At least three American service members were killed in Kuwait over the weekend.
Iranian Retaliation
The United States and Israel launched extensive strikes against targets in Iran on Saturday. Tehran responded by launching missiles and drones towards Israel and American bases in the region, including those in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan.
The operation, dubbed Epic Fury, reportedly resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and senior commanders of the Revolutionary Guard.
“Over Kuwait, there remains a threat of missile and drone attacks. Do not enter the embassy grounds. Shelter in your homes, on the lowest level possible and away from windows. Do not go outside. U.S. Embassy personnel are sheltering in place,” reads a statement from the embassy cited by AFP. At least three American service members have died in Kuwait over the weekend.
Iranian Retaliation
The United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack on targets in Iran on Saturday. Tehran responded by firing missiles and sending drones at Israel and American bases in the region. These bases are located not only in Kuwait but as well in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan.
During the operation, called Epic Fury, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, top commander of the Revolutionary Guard Mohammad Pakpúr, or the Minister of Defense and head of intelligence services were killed.
