The Qatar Emiri Air Force downed two Iranian Su-24 Fencer tactical bombers on Monday as they approached Qatari airspace, according to the country’s Ministry of Defense. The shootdowns represent the first confirmed air-to-air kills against Iranian aircraft since Operation Epic Fury began on February 28.
Qatari forces also intercepted seven ballistic missiles and neutralized five drones during the same engagement window. The Qatar Emiri Navy participated in the drone intercepts.
— وزارة الدفاع – دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) March 2, 2026
The ministry did not disclose which platform achieved the kills. According to Flight Global, Qatar Emiri Air Force fields three fighter types with air-to-air capability: the Boeing F-15QA Ababil, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Dassault Rafale. Qatar also operates Patriot and NASAMS surface-to-air missile batteries, leaving open the possibility of a ground-based intercept.
Hours before the engagement, Iranian drones struck a power station in Mesaieed and an energy facility at Ras Laffan Industrial City. Damage assessments remain ongoing, according to
A Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson told CNN the country would not allow attacks on its territory to go unanswered. Qatar has sharply criticized Tehran’s targeting of civilian infrastructure across the Gulf.
Iran has not commented on the loss of the two aircraft. Tehran previously warned it would strike U.S. military installations across the region in response to the joint American-Israeli offensive.
The United States, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan issued a joint statement on Sunday calling Iran’s cross-border salvos unjustified and destabilizing.
