Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed that several United States military aircraft crashed on Monday, with all crew members surviving the incidents.
In a statement, ministry spokesperson Col. Said Al-Atwan said Kuwaiti authorities immediately launched search-and-rescue operations. “The crews were evacuated from the crash sites, transferred to hospitals for assessment, and provided with necessary medical care,” he said. The ministry added that the crew members are in stable condition.
Videos verified by CNN show a fighter jet engulfed in flames before spiraling down near a US airbase in Kuwait. Analysts identified the aircraft as likely an F-15E strike fighter. One video captured a pilot safely ejecting with a parachute. The footage suggests the crash occurred within about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of the Ali Al Salem Air Base.
The cause of the crashes remains unclear, and US authorities, including United States Central Command, have not yet commented. Al-Atwan said Kuwait is in direct coordination with US officials regarding the incidents.
The crashes come amid heightened military activity in the Gulf, following an expanding conflict with Iran. Smoke has reportedly been observed near the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, adding to regional security concerns.
Such incidents are rare and usually prompt formal investigations. In 2024, a US Navy ship mistakenly fired on an F/A-18 operating from the USS Harry S. Truman in the Red Sea. Both pilots ejected safely, and the matter was investigated.
The US maintains a significant military presence in the region. Recent deployments, according to CENTCOM, include F-16s, F-18s, F-22s, F-35s, A-10 attack aircraft, MQ-9 Reaper drones, refueling planes, aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers, and counter-drone systems. CENTCOM reports that over 1,000 military targets, including command centers, Iranian naval vessels, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps facilities, have been struck in the ongoing operations.
Authorities in Kuwait and the United States are expected to investigate the circumstances of the crashes to determine whether they were caused by technical failure, operational issues, or other factors.
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