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Three U.S. Air Force fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait during what American officials described Monday as an apparent friendly fire incident while the aircraft were taking part in the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
In a statement, U.S. Central Command said the jets were mistakenly struck by Kuwaiti air defense systems amid active combat operations in the region.
“During active combat — that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones — the U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,” the command said.
All six crew members ejected safely and were recovered without life-threatening injuries, Central Command said, adding that they were in stable condition. The military thanked Kuwait for its participation in the campaign against Iran and for assisting in the recovery operation.
The incident occurred as Iran has launched retaliatory attacks against American and allied targets across the Persian Gulf following the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, over the weekend.
Several U.S. bases and facilities in the region have come under attack in recent days, prompting Gulf states to mobilize air defense systems to intercept incoming missiles and drones as the conflict rapidly escalates.
Kuwait confirms crash, investigation underway
In a separate statement, Kuwait’s Defense Ministry said multiple U.S. military aircraft crashed early Monday and that rescue teams evacuated the crew members to a hospital. Kuwaiti officials said they were coordinating with U.S. forces to investigate the incident.
Video posted to social media and verified by its location in Al Jahra, northwest of Kuwait City, appeared to show a fighter jet spiraling toward the ground with smoke trailing from its rear. In several clips, the aircraft is seen descending rapidly before impact.
Drone attack hits U.S. Embassy compound
Also Monday, a drone struck the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. The source of the drone attack was not immediately clear.
Video from the scene, verified by The New York Times, showed smoke rising from an area near the embassy complex. There were no immediate reports of casualties, and the U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The friendly fire incident underscores the heightened risks facing U.S. and allied forces operating in increasingly crowded and contested airspace as the conflict with Iran widens across the Middle East.
