The United States has shot down an unknown object flying in its airspace, off the coast of Alaska, just days after it shot down a Chinese “spy” balloon.
The object, which was shot down on the orders of President Joe Biden, was flying at an altitude of about 40,000 feet and about the size of a small car, the White House said.
It posed a “reasonable threat” to the safety of civilian flights, said John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.
It is unclear where the object came from.
“We don’t know who owns this item,” Kirby said.
US officials said, “Out of an abundance of caution and on the recommendation of the Pentagon, President Biden has ordered the military to shoot down the object over the water.”
They confirmed it happened over the now frozen territorial waters.
The incident came days after the United States shot down a Chinese balloon believed to be a spy plane.
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How the US shot down the Chinese “spy balloon”.
China has maintained the balloon was a scientific research blimp that had accidentally flown over the United States.
That ball was pulled down from fighter aircraft off the coast of South Carolina, with the U.S. military beginning to clear debris shortly thereafter.
Photos of the operation to collect the debris from the balloon were released by the US Navy
To know more:
What are spy balloons?
Biden’s response was measured but grounded in reality
The incident sparked a diplomatic row between China and the United States, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken deferring to visit to China which was supposed to start just a few days later.
The “spy” balloon is believed to have flown over the Aleutian Islands, off the coast of Alaskaand through Canada before entering the United States.
Defense and military leaders had considered shooting the balloon from the sky, but decided against it due to the safety risk from falling debris.
