Eyewitness Accounts Challenge Pentagon's Narrative on Deadly Drone Strike in Kuwait

Survivors Speak Out

In a significant revelation, survivors of the most lethal Iranian assault on US forces since the conflict began have disputed the Pentagon's version of events. They recounted to CBS News how their unit stationed in Kuwait was left vulnerable when six service members were killed and over 20 were injured. For the first time, members of the affected unit shared their experiences regarding the drone strike that occurred on March 1 at a port facility in Kuwait, providing a detailed eyewitness perspective that contradicts official statements. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterized the drone as a 'squirter' that bypassed the defenses of a fortified area. However, one injured soldier stated, 'The portrayal that “one squeaked through” is misleading. I want people to understand that the unit was not prepared to defend itself. It was not a fortified position.'

The soldier, who requested anonymity due to military media restrictions, praised the troops for their quick and courageous response despite the attack's severity. 'I don't believe that the security situation or any leadership decisions diminish their sacrifice or service in any way,' he expressed. 'Those soldiers willingly faced danger, and I am incredibly proud of them, as should their families.'

Details of the Attack

The drone strike targeted a lightly fortified facility at the Port of Shuaiba on Kuwait's southern coast. Prior to the attack, missile alerts had prompted around 60 troops to seek shelter in a bunker. An all-clear signal was later issued, allowing personnel to return to their posts. Approximately 30 minutes after the all-clear, the drone struck. 'Everything shook,' recalled one soldier. 'It felt like something out of a movie. Your ears ring, everything is fuzzy, your vision blurs, and you feel dizzy with dust and smoke everywhere.'

The explosion resulted in numerous injuries, including severe head wounds, heavy bleeding, perforated eardrums, and shrapnel injuries. The strike claimed the lives of six US personnel, marking the deadliest attack of its kind since 2021, and left over 20 others injured. 'It was a direct hit,' survivors confirmed.

Several soldiers expressed their concerns about being stationed within the range of Iranian weaponry prior to the attack. While most US troops in Kuwait had been relocated to safer areas, members of the Army's 103rd Sustainment Command were instead assigned to the port facility. 'The directive was to “Get off the X,”' one soldier noted, referring to orders given to others to vacate high-risk zones. Another soldier remarked, 'We moved closer to Iran, into a highly unsafe area that was a known target. I don't think there was a valid reason ever provided.'

They described the base as offering minimal protection against aerial threats. 'From a bunker perspective, it was about as weak as it gets,' one soldier commented. When asked to assess the level of fortification, he stated, 'I would categorize it as none. There was no drone defense capability whatsoever.'

Survivors recounted the chaos that ensued following the attack, which was executed by an Iranian Shahed drone. 'It was utter chaos,' one injured soldier described. 'There was no orderly line of patients for triage. You were either on one side of the fire or the other.'

Troops improvised with makeshift bandages and tourniquets to assist the injured and transported casualties in civilian vehicles to hospitals in the Kuwaiti suburb of Fahaheel. 'One of the hardest things for me is knowing we didn't manage to get everyone out,' one survivor lamented. 'I am aware that there are still soldiers inside who have yet to be identified and evacuated.'

Some survivors expressed their discontent with the Pentagon's public portrayal of the incident. While they emphasized that they did not intend to undermine military morale, one soldier stated, 'It's crucial to tell the truth; we won't learn from our mistakes if we ignore them.' When asked if the attack was an inevitable outcome of war, the soldier agreed but added that it could have been avoided. 'In my view, absolutely, yes.' He concluded, 'I feel deep sorrow for their loss, something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. But I am also immensely proud of them and their sacrifice, and their families should be too.'