A new video footage circulating on social media shows a Kuwaiti civilian approaching one of the American pilots who ejected after three US fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences, in what the Pentagon described as an “apparent friendly fire incident.”
A 20-second video clip, shared by an OSINT platform, shows a uniformed pilot seated on the ground in an open, sandy area in daylight. One civilian man approaches him and speaks in English, asking, “Are you OK?” and saying, “Thank you for helping us.” The female pilot appears conscious and upright, even seen smiling at a point.
At least one additional voice is audible off-camera, but only one civilian is clearly seen approaching the pilot. The video clip ends without showing what happens next.
The Pentagon on Monday confirmed that three F-15 Strike Eagles taking part in operations against Iran were “mistakenly” shot down by Kuwaiti air defence systems earlier in the day. All six crew members ejected safely and are in stable condition, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
FRIENDLY FIRE OVER KUWAIT
The incident occurred amid intense aerial activity as Iran launched drones, ballistic missiles and aircraft toward Gulf targets hosting US military bases. While US officials did not specify the air defence system involved, Kuwait operates US-made Patriot missile batteries, which rely on radar and identification systems to distinguish friendly from hostile aircraft.
Friendly fire incidents, though rare, have occurred in high-alert combat situations. US Central Command confirmed that the jets were victims of friendly fire.
Earlier footage geolocated to Kuwait showed a twin-engine fighter aircraft engulfed in flames before entering a tailspin. Analysis suggested the aircraft came down within roughly 10 kilometres of Ali Al Salem Air Base, a major US installation in Kuwait.
The Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company said debris fell inside the Mina Al Ahmadi refinery, injuring two workers. Emergency teams responded to the site.
US-IRAN CONFLICT ENTERS NEW PHASE
The shootdown comes as the US-Israel campaign against Iran intensifies and Tehran expands retaliatory strikes across the Gulf. Early Tuesday, Iran struck the US Embassy in Riyadh with two drones, causing a limited fire and minor damage, according to Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry. The attack followed a separate strike a day earlier targeting the US Embassy in Kuwait.
Iran has also hit energy facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia and targeted ships in the Strait of Hormuz, sending global oil and gas prices higher. Drone impacts were reported near data infrastructure sites in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
US President Donald Trump said operations against Iran could last four to five weeks and warned that “the hardest hits are yet to come.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the campaign would continue to escalate.
HUNDREDS DEAD ACROSS REGION
The Iranian Red Crescent said at least 555 people have been killed in US-Israeli strikes in Iran. At least 11 people have died in Israel from Iranian missile attacks, while Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed dozens.
The US military has confirmed the deaths of six American service members in Kuwait, all part of the same Army logistics unit, according to a US official speaking on condition of anonymity.
In Lebanon, Israel struck Hezbollah positions in Beirut’s southern suburbs after the group launched missiles and drones toward Israel. Hezbollah also claimed drone attacks on Israeli military facilities.
As the conflict widens, airspace closures and military engagements across the Gulf have heightened risks for US and allied forces operating in the region–conditions that US officials say contributed to the mistaken shootdown over Kuwait.
With agency inputs
