3 US F-15 fighter jets shot down by Kuwait in ‘friendly fire’ incident; crews survive
CENTCOM says planes mistakenly downed by Kuwaiti air defenses during Iranian attack; US embassy in Kuwait City closed as black smoke rises from compound
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Three US F-15 fighter jets crashed over Kuwait on Monday after they were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses in a so-called friendly fire incident, the American military confirmed.
“Three US F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury went down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident,” the US Central Command said in a statement, referring to the ongoing Israeli-American operation against Iran.
CENTCOM said that during “active combat — that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones — the US Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses.”
“All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition,” CENTCOM said.
“Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation,” the statement continued, adding that the incident was under further investigation.
In videos, a jet was seen spiraling to the ground in a flat spin.
UPDATE: Based on shared footage online, it appears two separate F-15 jets may have crashed — one fully engulfed in flames, the other with fire visible near the right engine only.
This could explain Kuwait’s announcement that several jets crashed.
H/T: azyakancokkacan pic.twitter.com/Y07E0ke0cl
— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 2, 2026
Footage of an F-15 falling out of the sky this morning over Kuwait, in an apparent “friendly fire” incident involving the U.S. Air Force. pic.twitter.com/GQvryfJ4C4
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 2, 2026
Kuwait’s defense ministry had earlier announced that several planes had crashed and that the crews had been recovered.
“Several US warplanes crashed this morning. Confirming that all crew members survived,” a Kuwaiti defense ministry spokesman said in a statement, adding that the cause was under investigation.
“Authorities immediately initiated search and rescue operations, evacuating the crews and transporting them to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. Their condition is stable,” the statement added.
Footage of Kuwaiti locals approaching one of the shot down American pilots this morning.
“Are you OK? Thank you for helping us.” pic.twitter.com/QCxUNxuSYF
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) March 2, 2026
Black smoke at US embassy in Kuwait City
Meanwhile Monday morning, black smoke was seen rising from the US embassy in Kuwait, and the diplomatic mission told people not to come to the premises as Iran pressed on with a third day of attacks on the Gulf and Israel.
Sirens earlier sounded over Kuwait City following the latest volley of Iranian attacks in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes.
The embassy did not announce it had been hit, but issued a security alert urging people to stay away.
“There is a continuing threat of missile and UAV attacks over Kuwait. Do not come to the embassy,” the statement said. “US Embassy personnel are sheltering in place.”
Kuwait’s interior ministry said it intercepted an unspecified number of drones targeting the country at dawn.
Like some other US embassies in the Middle East, the outpost in Kuwait is a large, walled compound consisting of multiple buildings and recreational facilities.
It is located near other embassies and residential areas to the south of central Kuwait City, and the ruling emir’s Bayan Palace is not far away.
In December 1983, a truck packed with explosives heavily damaged parts of the US Embassy in Kuwait when it drove through a gate and detonated. The bombing was part of a series of attacks later blamed on Iranian-backed terror groups.
Iranian attacks have so far killed five people in the Gulf, according to authorities, including one person in Kuwait.
Earlier on Monday, loud explosions were heard across the Gulf cities of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Manama, and Kuwait.
Iran’s continued and unprecedented bombardment of the Gulf has hit military bases but also civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, hotels, airports, and seaports, rattling a region long seen as a haven of peace and security in the turbulent Middle East.
The Times of Israel Community.