On March 2nd, the US Central Command announced that three US F-15 fighter jets were mistakenly hit by Kuwait’s air defense system while carrying out a mission, causing the safe ejection of six crew members who have been rescued. The specific reason for the incident is still under investigation.
The Central Command stated that on March 1st at 11:03 pm Eastern Time in the US, which was 7:03 am on March 2nd local time in Kuwait, three US F-15E Strike Eagles crashed in Kuwait due to a significant friendly fire incident while supporting Operation Epic Fury.
“In a theater of operations facing actual combat and under attack from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones, US Air Force fighters were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defense systems,” the statement said.
It was mentioned in the statement that all six crew members safely ejected from the aircraft and have been rescued, with their conditions reported as stable. Kuwait has acknowledged the incident and stated that an investigation is ongoing.
Earlier circulated footage showed a US fighter jet crashing in Kuwait’s Al Jahra region on Monday morning, with a person parachuting out. The location was confirmed by Reuters.
At that time, Iranian state media, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed that Iranian armed forces had targeted a US plane that crashed in Kuwait.
Since the US and Israel began actions against Iran on Saturday, Iran has been retaliating by targeting US bases and other assets in the Middle East.
Kuwait was earlier targeted by Iranian drones on Monday. According to the country’s state news agency quoting the head of civil defense, most drones were intercepted, and there were no reports of casualties. The interception took place in the eastern part of the country.
Kuwait National Petroleum Company reported that two workers at a refinery sustained minor injuries from falling debris.
A fire broke out within the premises of the US Embassy in Kuwait, with thick smoke emanating. Fire trucks and ambulances rushed to the scene.
The US Embassy had previously warned American citizens not to come to the embassy.