Three American F-15s mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti anti-aircraft: all pilots safe

Three F-15E fighter jets of the United States Air Force were shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses in a friendly fire incident, according to a report today from the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). The incident occurred overnight between Sunday and Monday, while the aircraft were engaged in missions related to current operations against Iran.

According to the official statement, the three F-15E Strike Eagles crashed in Kuwaiti airspace due to an “apparent friendly fire incident” by the country's air defense systems. All six crew members, two per aircraft, managed to eject and were recovered in good condition, stable and without serious injuries. Kuwait has acknowledged the episode and will cooperate with U.S. authorities in investigating the causes of the incident.

The episode is set against the backdrop of a military escalation in the Persian Gulf region, where U.S. and Israeli forces are conducting operations against Iranian forces following a series of drone and missile attacks. CENTCOM specified that the downing of the fighters occurred during a combat phase that included the interception of aerial threats, including Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones, creating a particularly complex operational environment.

The note from the American Central Command emphasizes that Kuwait has expressed its commitment to clarifying the details of the incident and that further information will be made available as the investigation progresses. The episode represents one of the most significant friendly fire moments since the start of hostilities in the region and raises questions about the difficulties of coordination between allied defense systems in high-intensity warfare scenarios.