US fighter jets downed by Kuwait air defence in an apparent friendly fire incident, with all six crew members ejecting safely.
WASHINGTON: US fighter jets downed by Kuwait air defence were confirmed by the Pentagon on Monday, describing the episode as an apparent friendly fire incident during ongoing operations against Iran.
The incident involved three F 15 Strike Eagles participating in US and Israeli military operations. According to US Central Command, all six crew members successfully ejected and are in stable condition. The command is overseeing operations linked to the widening regional conflict.
Earlier footage circulating online showed at least one F 15 falling rapidly from the sky, with a pilot ejecting moments before the aircraft descended. Central Command later confirmed that the jet had been mistakenly engaged by Kuwaiti air defence systems.
Although the US military did not officially name the system involved, analysts indicated it was likely a Patriot air defence battery, which is operated by the United States and allied countries including Kuwait. Such systems rely on advanced radar and encrypted identification mechanisms to determine whether an aircraft is friendly or hostile before launching interceptors.
Officials acknowledged that friendly fire incidents, while rare, can occur during high intensity military operations when defence systems are on maximum alert. Misidentification risks increase in complex airspaces involving multiple allied aircraft and fast moving threats.
The confirmation that US fighter jets downed were the result of a Kuwaiti interception comes on the third day of escalating US and Israeli operations against Iran, which have expanded tensions across the Middle East.
