From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
‘Back up, I’m American’: Downed US pilot mistaken for Iranian by Kuwaiti locals
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleVideo footage has emerged of a tense moment between a US fighter pilot and Kuwaiti locals who approached him, apparently thinking he was an Iranian, after his F-15 fighter jet was shot down along with two others in a so-called friendly fire incident over the Gulf country.
In the video, two men are seen approaching the pilot — who had just parachuted out of his downed plane — while others are heard shouting at them in Arabic out of frame.
One of the men is brandishing what appears to be a metal pipe above his head, while the other appears to be filming.
The pilot can be heard repeatedly urging them to “back up, back up,” as he slowly kneels to the ground with his palms out toward the men.
“Back up, I’m American,” he finally says, prompting the man brandishing the pipe to immediately walk away from him.
???????????????????? Meanwhile in Kuwait
US pilot ejected from his fighter jet, lands in Kuwait, is approached by hostile locals, until they realise he’s an American. pic.twitter.com/bkyRckudCr
— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) March 3, 2026
The Times of Israel Community.