Several American warplanes crashed in Kuwait on Monday morning, but all crew members survived, the country’s defence ministry has confirmed, as Iran continued its third day of strikes across the Gulf.
In a statement, a defence ministry spokesman said:
“Several US warplanes crashed this morning. Confirming that all crew members survived,” adding that the cause of the incident is still under investigation.
The ministry also disclosed that emergency teams responded immediately after the crash.
“Authorities immediately initiated search and rescue operations, evacuating the crews and transporting them to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. He noted that their condition is stable,” the statement added.
An AFP correspondent reported that black smoke was seen rising from the area around the US embassy in Kuwait on Monday, as the warplanes went down without causing civilian casualties. The incident occurred amid growing regional tensions linked to Iran’s continued retaliation in the Gulf.
At the same time, a US military base and a power station were reportedly targeted, marking the most serious escalation in Kuwait in decades. The development comes against the backdrop of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq and Iraq’s 1990 attempt to take over Kuwait.
Explosions were also heard across major Gulf cities, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha and Manama, as Iran expanded its attacks on America’s regional allies following the killing of its supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes.
Although the US embassy in Kuwait did not confirm that it was hit, it issued a security alert advising people to stay away from the premises.
“There is a continuing threat of missile and UAV (drone) attacks over Kuwait. Do not come to the embassy,” the statement said, adding: “US embassy personnel are sheltering in place.”
According to authorities, Iranian attacks across the Gulf have so far claimed five lives, including one person in Kuwait.
Kuwait, a small but oil-rich nation, hosts a significant US military presence, which dates back to the 1990 Iraqi invasion that was later repelled by a US-led coalition supporting the Kuwaiti army.
