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
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults
Informed sources to Al Mayadeen: A new chapter in relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency will begin within the framework of the new law passed by Parliament

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

Iraq’s PMF law seen as test of sovereignty amid US objections

Notorious Palantir lands record $10bln contract with the US Army

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

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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