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Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces
Hamas: A delegation from the Hamas leadership, led by the head of the leadership council, Mohammad Darwish, met with an Islamic Jihad delegation, headed by its Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah

China balloon collected critical military data back in Feb: NBC

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 3 Apr 2023 18:50
3 Min Read

NBC news reported today that the Chinese balloon which had caused a fiasco earlier this year allegedly managed to successfully collect critical data from several military sites with the Biden administration failing to prevent the covert espionage mission.

  • x
  • US Navy experts recover the high-altitude Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina,February 2023 (AP)
    US Navy experts recover the high-altitude Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, February 2023 (AP)

NBC news reported today that the Chinese balloon which had caused a fiasco earlier this year reportedly managed to successfully collect critical data from several military sites with the Biden administration failing to prevent the covert espionage mission.

The data was reportedly collected through electronic signals, which can be picked up from weapons systems or through communications from base personnel, rather than images, the informed sources told NBC. 

Read more:  Chinese balloon poses no threat to people on ground: Pentagon   

Back in early February, The Pentagon had reported that the balloon "does not pose a physical threat to people on the ground." On the espionage potential of the balloon, they assessed "Clearly, it is a balloon that has a payload underneath it… It's got a large payload – the surveillance component – underneath the actual balloon piece of it." 

The balloon was later shot down by a US fighter jet. Afterward, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reported that the balloon had been used by China in efforts to "surveil strategic sites" in the US.

Related News

Taiwan claims another eight Chinese balloons detected around island

China slams US claims of espionage as 'complete slander'

Read more: Chinese balloon, among many more, part of aerial spy program: US intel

It was later reported by the Washington Post citing several US officials, that the US intelligence believes that the suspected Chinese surveillance balloon, which has been shot down by the US military, was part of a vast surveillance program of China's People's Liberation Army. 

According to officials, balloons belonging to China have been located over five continents. It was also relayed that allies of the US believed to be a target of the ‘spy’ balloon have been contacted as well. It was reported by US media, quoting a senior administration official that a briefing was conducted by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on the matter for around 40 embassies.

Read more: US disguised aerial devices as civilian aircrafts to spy on China

Later in February, It was reported that the US army had employed various aircraft to spy on China after disguising them as civilian aerial devices, according to reports by the Global Times. 

Citing a Chinese technology and intelligence company called MizarVision, the report states that the US had used all sorts of spying aerial devices, some of which it disguised as civilian aircraft, including balloons, to conduct its spying operations. 

Some of the aircraft that are frequently deployed to carry out reconnaissance missions include the EP-3E electronic signals reconnaissance plane, the P-8A maritime patrol and reconnaissance plane, the RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft, the E-8C airborne command and control plane, and the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance plane, MizarVision told the Global Times. 

  • Chinese balloon
  • US
  • China

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