The Department of War has declassified a report detailing an unresolved Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) encounter that occurred in the Middle East in 2020. The document, released under the PURSUE policy framework, was processed by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. The report does not identify the specific platform or sensor involved, but the filename indicates it originated from a military asset operating in the region.
According to the report, the event took place in 2020 and involved a UAP tracked by multiple sensors. The object exhibited flight characteristics that were not immediately consistent with known aircraft or natural phenomena. The report notes that the UAP maintained a stationary position at an altitude of approximately 30,000 feet before accelerating rapidly and departing the area. The sensor data recorded the object’s speed at over 400 knots during the acceleration phase.
The report does not provide a definitive explanation for the encounter. It states that the UAP was observed for a duration of approximately 12 minutes and that no electronic countermeasures or communications were detected. The object appeared as a solid, metallic-looking sphere on radar and infrared sensors. The report includes technical details from the sensor logs, such as the object’s radar cross-section and thermal signature, but these have been redacted in the public release.
The declassification of this report is part of a broader effort by the Department of War to increase transparency regarding UAP encounters. The PURSUE policy framework, established in 2023, mandates the review and release of historical UAP reports that do not compromise national security. AARO, which oversees the declassification process, has prioritized reports from the Middle East and other regions where U.S. military assets have frequently encountered unexplained aerial objects.
The report does not speculate on the nature or origin of the UAP. It categorizes the encounter as unresolved, meaning that no conventional explanation has been identified. The document notes that the object did not exhibit any hostile intent and that no attempts were made to intercept or communicate with it. The report also highlights that the encounter occurred in a region with significant U.S. military activity, but it does not link the event to any specific adversary or technology.
Moving forward, AARO may request additional data from the original sensor operators and interview personnel who witnessed the event. The office has the authority to conduct further analysis if new information becomes available. The Department of War has stated that it will continue to release declassified UAP reports as part of its commitment to transparency, while ensuring that sensitive operational details remain protected.
