KUWAIT.– Kuwait’s anti-aircraft defenses mistakenly shot down three United States planes, whose embassy in that country released a column of smoke in the morning.
Since the beginning of the attack United States and Israel against Iran, Tehran responds with salvos of missiles and drones against the Gulf countries, in many cases allies of Washington.
Three American planes F-15E Strike Eagle were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses on Sunday night, US Central Command reported.
“The US Air Force fighters were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,” CENTCOM said, although it added that the crews ejected and are safe.
“Kuwait has acknowledged this incident and we appreciate the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation,” he added.
Previously, local authorities had reported that several American fighter jets had crashed in the country.
Regarding the embassy, an AFP journalist saw a thick column of black smoke rising above the legation on Monday morning.
The embassy did not confirm whether its building was hit, but published a statement in which it asked “not to go” to the diplomatic legation due to “persistent threat of missile and drone attacks.”
Embassy staff are “confined to the place,” he added.
Three witnesses also saw smoke rising over a power plant in the north of the country.
The national oil company Kuwait National Petroleum Company said debris fell on the Mina Al Ahmadi refinery, one of the country’s most important refineries, injuring two workers.
Dana Abas, an engineer who lives in Kuwait City, admitted to AFP that she was worried and rushed to stock up on essential products.
Since Saturday, five people have died in the Gulf, all of them foreign nationals: one in Kuwait, three in the Emirates and one in Bahrain.
On Monday morning, new explosions were heard in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Manama.
The Iranian attacks, which have targeted military bases but also civilian infrastructure such as residential buildings, hotels, airports and seaports, have shaken a region long considered a haven of peace and security in the Middle East.
Open investigation
The head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, General Dan Caine, assured this Monday that they are investigating the friendly fire attack against three F-15 fighters within the framework of the US operation against Iran.
“I am grateful that the crews are safe and we know that this was not hostile enemy fire, as this matter is being investigated,” Caine said at a press conference at the Pentagon with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
