Kuwaiti Air Defences Accidentally Shoot Down Three US F-15 Fighter Jets

Three US F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences over Kuwait during active combat involving Iranian attacks. All six crew members ejected safely and are in stable condition, with Kuwait acknowledging the incident and assisting recovery efforts.

Key points

• The incident occurred during active combat that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones.
• The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the friendly fire incident.
• Kuwait's Defence Ministry also confirmed the crash of several US warplanes and the survival of the crew members.
• The cause of the friendly fire incident is under investigation.
• The US launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran on February 28.

Why it matters

This friendly fire incident highlights the high-risk and complex operational environment in the Gulf region amidst ongoing US military action against Iran, potentially straining US-Kuwaiti military coordination.