Two Russian-made Su-24 bombers operated by Iranian forces were downed by Qatari F-15 fighter jets near Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Monday morning, according to a CNN report.
Incident Details
On Monday morning, two Russian-made Su-24 bombers, operated by Iranian forces, were intercepted by Qatari F-15 fighter jets. The Iranian planes were flying at an altitude of 80 feet, reportedly to evade radar. These aircraft were carrying bombs and guided munitions.
The engagement transpired when the aircraft were approximately two minutes away from Al Udeid Air Base, a significant hub for U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
Qatari fighter pilots engaged the Iranian planes in aerial combat, resulting in the downing of both aircraft. The planes subsequently crashed into Qatari waters.
Official Confirmation
Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine confirmed the encounter during a news briefing on Wednesday. He stated that Qatari fighters had for the first time shot down two Iranian bombers en route to their location.
This incident marks the first occasion Qatari fighters have shot down two Iranian bombers en route to their location, as confirmed by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
Context
Several thousand U.S. troops are stationed at Al Udeid Air Base. The U.S. Air Force has collaborated with Qatari counterparts for years, including training Qatari F-15 pilots. This incident represents a rare direct military engagement between Qatar and Iran. Regional tensions have increased following a joint U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran.