Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence announced on Monday that several US warplanes had crashed within its territory, confirming that all crew members survived the incidents The statement noted that search and rescue operations were immediately initiated, and the evacuated crews were transported to a hospital where they are in stable condition
Later, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) clarified that three F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were downed in an "apparent friendly fire incident" According to the CENTCOM statement, the aircraft were "mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses" during a period of active combat that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones All six American aircrew members ejected safely and have been recovered
The incident occurred amidst a significant regional escalation, part of a wider US-Israeli military operation against Iran, which the US has dubbed "Operation Epic Fury" Iran has launched retaliatory strikes across the Gulf in response CENTCOM stated that Kuwait has acknowledged the incident and that a joint investigation is underway to determine the precise circumstances of the downing Footage circulated on social media appeared to show at least one of the jets on fire and spiraling before impact, with a pilot descending by parachute
Asad Baig