File image.
An Iranian missile strike on an air base in Kuwait wounded several American troops and seriously damaged two MQ-9 Reaper combat drones, Bloomberg reported on May 30, citing a person with direct knowledge on the matter.
Kuwaiti air defenses intercepted the Fateh-110-type ballistic missile launched from the Islamic Republic, but falling debris struck Ali Al Salem Air Base, the person told the news outlet, adding that about five people, including contractors and active duty personnel, suffered minor injuries.
In addition, one MQ-9 drone was destroyed and at least one other was seriously damaged in the strike, according to the same person.
Ali Al Salem, located in the Jahra Governorate of Kuwait, mainly hosts the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing of the United States Air Force.
The strike in question took place over the bright of May 27 and 28. It was carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in response to earlier strikes by the U.S. that targeted the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas. Footage released at the time by the guards showed the launch of at least three Fateh-110-type missiles.
Iran produces several types of ballistic missiles from the Fateh-110 family, some with a range of over 700 kilometers. The ones used in the attack on Kuwait, however, were likely from one of the tactical strike versions. And while the person who spoke to Bloomberg alleged that there were successful interceptions, the scale and type of losses strongly suggests that this is inaccurate.
After the start of the American-Israeli war on Iran, the Islamic Republic deliberately struck MQ-9 drones on the ground in Kuwait and other Gulf states more than once.
MQ-9 drones, which cost upwards of $30 million per a unit, are primarily used to collect intelligence, but have the ability to conduct pinpoint strikes. The advanced drones can operate for more than 27 hours and reach altitudes of over 25,000 feet.
The U.S. has reportedly lost more than two dozen such drones since the start of the war on Iran, some were destroyed on the ground in bases like Ali Al Salem. The losses represent around 20 percent of the fleet in service, and worth upwards of $1 billion.
Bloomberg’s latest report noted the Iran war has depleted U.S. stocks of valuable munitions, including THAAD, Patriot PAC-3 and SM-3 Block IIA interceptors.
The strike came as U.S. President Donald Trump weighs a possible agreement to extend a fragile ceasefire with Iran. Trump held a roughly two-hour Situation Room meeting on May 29 but left without announcing a decision, despite hitting earlier that he was going to lift the blockade of Iranian ports.
According to the latest Pentagon casualty report for the Iran war, 14 Americans have died and 409 have been injured so far. The Islamic Republic, from its side, claims that hundreds of were killed.
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successful defense against a handful of 20 years old fateh missiles. good job.
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