A statement from the United States Central Command in the Middle East (CENTCOM) has confirmed that three F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets crashed in Kuwaiti airspace after being mistakenly fired upon by the country’s air defense systems.
According to CENTCOM’s report, the aircraft were conducting military operations in the region at the time of the incident. During the operation, Kuwait’s air defense systems accidentally targeted and shot down the US aircraft.
US military officials stated that all six pilots aboard the planes successfully ejected using parachutes.
The pilots were later safely rescued, and their condition has been confirmed as stable.
Meanwhile, videos circulating on social media show one of the aircraft catching fire before crashing, and another clip shows two pilots descending to the ground by parachute, where emergency teams were seen providing assistance.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense announced that an official investigation has been launched to determine how the US aircraft were mistakenly shot down. The investigation will focus on the operation of the air defense systems and the military circumstances at the time of the incident.
Officials from the ministry also confirmed that the rescued pilots were taken to hospitals for medical evaluation, and their condition remains stable.
The incident comes at a time of rising military tensions in the Middle East, following joint attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran.
Meanwhile, the Iranian government has previously threatened to target US military bases and facilities in the Gulf countries, further raising fears that the conflict could spread across the region.