Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 35 martyrs, 75 injured in occupation targeting of civilians seeking food aid in Rafah, Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
Da Silva: What is happening in Gaza is not a war, it is a genocide
Da Silva: Even the Jewish people do not want this war; it is revenge by a government against the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state
Brazilian President Lula da Silva: What we are seeing is not a war between two armies. [What we have is a] completely professional army that is killing women and children in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas: We affirm our readiness to immediately begin a round of indirect negotiations to reach an agreement on the points of contention
Hamas: We welcome the continued Qatari and Egyptian efforts to end the war waged by the Zionist occupation against our people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces blew up Noura Al-Kaabi Hospital, designated for kidney dialysis patients, in the northern Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli drone targets a car on the Ayta al-Shaab-Debel road in southern Lebanon
Yemeni Armed Forces Spokesperson Yahya Saree: The remaining airlines that have not yet complied with the ban are urged to take this into serious consideration to ensure the safety of their aircraft and passengers
Yemeni Armed Forces Spokesperson Yahya Saree: The YAF, after successfully imposing a partial ban on air traffic at Lydd Airport, are now working to impose a full ban on air traffic at the aforementioned airport in the coming period

What do we know so far about the car-sized object over Alaska?

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 11 Feb 2023 10:51
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

Reports say the new object was "much smaller" and seemed to be the size of a small car, and posed a reasonable threat to the safety of civilian flight.

  • x
  • National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. (AP)
    National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. (AP)

The US Defense Department on Friday confirmed that a "high-altitude object" was shot down over Alaska after assessing it could be a "threat to civilian aircraft."

The unidentified object was first seen on Thursday night, and US President Joe Biden ordered the shooting down early Friday.

Unlike the Chinese balloon that was shot down before, officials noted that the new object was "much smaller" and seemed to be the size of a small car.

"The object was flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet, and posed a reasonable threat to the safety of civilian flight,” White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters at a Friday briefing, adding that officials have had no "outreach" with China over the development.

The US authorities presently have no idea who owns the "object", or have any information regarding its nature.

The US is "calling this an object because that's the best description we have right now," Kirby underscored.

Alaska's Elmendorf AFB shoots object down

The US military tapped on Alaska's Elmendorf Air Force base to help in the shooting down operation, which first saw fighter pilots fly alongside the object and deduce that the device was unmanned. There is no sign the device was maneuverable, officials said.

One F-22 fighter jet from Elmendorf base was eventually used in the operation, marking the second occasion in which this type of aircraft was used in an air-to-air combat mission. 

Related News

'Israel' kills 75 Palestinians near US Gaza 'aid centers'

White House reportedly pauses new US sanctions on Iran amid talks: WSJ

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a flight restriction within the airspace around Deadhorse, Alaska an hour before shooting down the object, warning that any aircraft not abiding by the order could be "intercepted, detained and interviewed" by officials.

While work on a recovery operation is underway, a timeline on when the object may be retrieved from the frozen Alaskan waters has not been given.

Biden: The operation was 'a success'

Biden's only comment on the incident was that it "was a success," when reporters asked for information on the day of the downing.

The US President's quick response to this incident shows a stark difference when compared to his delayed response for the Chinese balloon, for which he was widely criticized.

Read: WH says US in talks with allies after the Chinese balloon scare

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand, and staffers with the Senate Intelligence Committee were among the officials briefed on the matter.

"I was briefed on the matter and supported the decision to take action," Trudeau wrote in a Twitter post, adding, "Our military and intelligence services will always work together, including through [the North American Aerospace Defense Command], to keep people safe."

As for Anand, she said that both the Department of National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces would coordinate with US officials to "ensure the protection of North American airspace."

US looks to sanction Chinese balloon manufacturer

The Biden administration has indicated it is considering imposing sanctions on the Chinese balloon manufacturer, as a retaliation for its overflight.

The US government alleges it is certain that the balloon's maker “has a direct relationship with China’s military and is an approved vendor of the PLA [People’s Liberation Army], according to information published in an official procurement portal for the PLA," a senior US State Department official told US media on Thursday.

The US has also sanctioned several other Chinese companies with alleged links to the PLA (People's Liberation Army), consequently, Chinese manufacturers of high-altitude balloons have started denying the balloon was theirs by issuing statements.

According to reports, the Chinese balloon was made out of plastic and was similar to those US company Raven Aerostar makes for US space agency NASA.

  • United States
  • Chinese balloon
  • AIM-9X sidewinder missile
  • Canada
  • China
  • Alaska
  • F-22 fighter jet

Most Read

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
Lebanon's PM Nawaf Salam meets with US envoy Morgan Ortagus in Beirut on April 5, 2025 (Dalati Nohra via AP)AP)

Morgan Ortagus to exit US role in Lebanon amid policy shift

  • Politics
  • 1 Jun 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Russia-Ukraine peace talks resume in Istanbul amid escalating war
Europe

Ukraine, Russia head for Istanbul talks as battles rage, cmdr. resigns

Australia urged to join Macron-led push for Palestinian statehood
Asia Pacific

Australia urged to join Macron-led push for Palestinian statehood

‘Israel’ lost international legitimacy for war on Gaza: Israeli media
Palestine

‘Israel’ lost 'international legitimacy' for Gaza war: Israeli media

MSF Chief: US-Israeli aid plan in Gaza ‘Dehumanising’
Politics

US-Israeli aid plan in Gaza used as tool for forced displacement: MSF

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS