By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Several American warplanes crashed in Kuwait on Monday morning but no death of a crew member was reported, Kuwait’s defence ministry said, as Iran continues in strikes in the Gulf that has entered its third day.
“Several US warplanes crashed this morning. Confirming that all crew members survived,” a defence ministry spokesman said in a statement, adding that the cause was under investigation.
“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.
Black smoke rose from the US embassy in Kuwait on Monday, an AFP report says, while US warplanes crashed without causing casualties, as Iran pressed on with a third day of retaliation in the Gulf.
A US base and a power station were also targeted, in what was the most dramatic escalation for the small Gulf country in decades, after the 2003 US invasion of Iraq and Baghdad’s attempt to take over Kuwait in 1990.
According to AFP report, blasts also rang out over the Gulf cities of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha and Manama as Iran targets America’s Gulf allies after the killing of its supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes.
The US embassy in Kuwait did not announce it had been hit, but issued a security alert urging people to stay away.
“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.”
At least five persons have been killed in the Iranian attacks, according to authorities, including one person in Kuwait.
The small, oil-rich country has a large US military presence stemming from the 1990 Iraqi invasion, which was repelled by a US-led coalition aiding the Kuwaiti army.
In northern Kuwait, smoke billowed over a power station, three witnesses told AFP. An energy ministry spokeswoman said a fuel container at the station had been hit by shrapnel as air defences were intercepting drones, causing a limited blaze.
Separately, Iran’s army said it targeted the Ali Al Salem air base hosting US troops in Kuwait, as well as vessels in the Indian ocean, firing 15 cruise missiles.
