A serious incident involving American aviation occurred in the skies over Kuwait during active hostilities in the Middle East. Three US Air Force fighters were shot down as a result of "friendly fire" from allied air defense systems. All six crew members survived the incident, according to The Times of Israel.
US military officials stated that the three F-15E Strike Eagle fighters were conducting a combat mission as part of "Operation Epic Fury," a joint campaign between the United States and Israel. While flying over Kuwait, the aircraft were reportedly misidentified as hostile targets by Kuwaiti air defense systems and engaged.
Despite the loss of the aircraft, all six crew members successfully ejected. They were located during a search and rescue operation and transported to a hospital for medical evaluation. According to official reports, they are in stable condition. Kuwait's Ministry of Defense confirmed the crash of the American planes, noting that the causes of the incident are currently under investigation.
Footage released from the scene shows one of the jets spiraling toward the ground in a flat spin. Meanwhile, the situation in the capital remains tense. Thick black smoke was seen rising above the US Embassy in Kuwait on Monday morning. The diplomatic mission has urged citizens to avoid the area due to the threat of further attacks, confirming that embassy staff are currently in shelters.
The embassy also warned of potential missile and drone strikes targeting the country. Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior reported that air defense forces intercepted an unspecified number of drones heading toward the state at dawn. Sirens and loud explosions were also reported across other Gulf cities, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, and Manama.
Authorities report that at least five people have been killed in the region due to Iranian attacks, including one fatality in Kuwait. Tehran's unprecedented and continuous bombardment has struck not only military sites but also civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, hotels, airports, and seaports, thrusting a once-stable region into the center of a massive escalation.