US fighter jet shot down in Kuwait; conflicting claims over cause
The aircraft, reported by multiple open sources to be an F-15, went down amid heightened regional tensions stemming from military operations involving the United States, Israel and Iran
A United States Air Force fighter jet crashed west of Al Jahra in Kuwait on Monday, sending up dense smoke visible in the area, according to video verified by news organizations and social media footage.
The aircraft, reported by multiple open sources to be an F-15, went down amid heightened regional tensions stemming from military operations involving the United States, Israel and Iran, says Times of India.
Unconfirmed early reports circulating on social media described the jet as having been "shot down," and a video posted online showed the aircraft engulfed in flames before it fell to the ground. The pilot was seen ejecting safely in the footage that spread rapidly on platforms where details remained limited.
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As per US reports, the incident occurred after friendly fire, though there has been no official confirmation. However, Iran claimed that it "shot down" the jet, says the Lokmat Times.
There was no immediate official statement from the United States Air Force or the US Department of Defense confirming the circumstances of the crash or the nationality of the aircraft involved.
Dense smoke rising over Kuwait's Al Jahra city, about 32 km (19 miles) west of Kuwait City, was seen in videos verified by Al Jazeera.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and regional military and government sources have so far provided few details.
