Three US F-15 Jets Downed by Kuwaiti Air Defences in Friendly Fire Incident
Three US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were shot down in separate “friendly fire” incidents by Kuwaiti air defences, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed Monday evening.
“All six aircrew, two per plane, ejected safely and have been recovered in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged the incident, and we are grateful for their support during this ongoing operation,” CENTCOM said. Kuwait had earlier reported that “several US military aircraft had crashed.”
Social media footage showed one F-15E spiraling down in flames before the pilots safely ejected.
Context: Escalating Conflict in West Asia
The incident comes amid heightened tensions following US-Israel missile strikes in Iran targeting military installations. Iran responded with missiles and armed drones against Tel Aviv and American bases across the region. On Day 1, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed, further escalating the conflict.
Explosions were heard across Gulf cities, and Israeli air raid sirens sounded after missiles launched from Iran were identified. Meanwhile, Saudi Aramco temporarily shut down its Ras Tanura refinery after it was struck by Iranian drones, raising concerns about global energy disruptions.
Regional actors, including Iran-backed Hezbollah, have also joined the conflict, intensifying attacks over the past 72 hours.
Impact on Civilians and Infrastructure
The war has disrupted civilian life across affected countries. Dubai’s airport, a major hub for Asia-Europe flights, was closed for several hours. Civilian structures, including a luxury hotel in Dubai, were hit by missiles, while Tehran claimed a US-Israel strike on a school in Minab killed over 160 people, including children.
The situation in West Asia remains highly volatile, with both military and civilian targets at risk as the conflict escalates.
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