Al Taqaddum Balloon Cluster, 2017
Infrared sensor on Iraqi blimp captured floating object resolved as balloons.
Jan 1, 2017
Pending
All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office
AI Disclosure Brief
AI assistedReported Object Read
Infrared footage from an aerostat blimp showed an unidentified object floating above Al Taqaddum Air Base, assessed as a cluster of fully and partially inflated balloons drifting with the wind.
Notable Characteristics
- Altitude: 850-2,200 feet
- Duration: 17 minutes 30 seconds
- Environment: sky
Reported Motion
- Drifting east-to-west at 4-14 mph
Evidence Notes
- Full-motion IR video analysis
- Weather data
- Scenario reconstructions
AARO's detailed analysis resolves the 2017 IR detection as a balloon cluster, backed by motion, shape, and environmental data; no anomalous traits observed.
Other
Infrared
90%
Prosaic Leads
- Cluster of fully and partially inflated balloons drifting with wind
Anomalous Indicators
No confident entries yet.
Evidence Gaps
- Exact object altitude not initially reported
- Reporter identity unknown
Evidence Quotes // source statements
Open archive"AARO assesses with high confidence that the object was consistent with a cluster of fully and partially inflated balloons."
Unknown speaker / AARO
Key Findings section
Source"AARO assesses with high confidence that the Al Taqaddum object did not exhibit anomalous behavior or capabilities."
Unknown speaker / AARO
AARO Assessment
SourcePattern Mesh // linked sightings
Western US Equidistant Lights, 2021
Military sensors captured five lights resolved as distant commercial aircraft.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution, infrared
Atmospheric Wakes Over Middle East, 2022-2023
UAV operators reported potential anomalous propulsion signatures resolved as sensor artifacts.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution, infrared
Puerto Rico Infrared Objects, 2013
AARO resolves CBP thermal video of drifting objects as likely sky lanterns.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution, infrared
Southeast Asia Triangles Resolved as Fishing Nets
AARO resolves 2017 satellite imagery of six dark triangles as static cone-shaped fishing nets.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution
Mt. Etna Spherical Object, 2018
UAS operators tracked a round object transiting volcanic ash plume at high speed.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution
Go Fast FLIR Object Off Florida, 2015
Navy pilot's infrared video shows object at 13,000 feet moving with wind, not anomalous speeds.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution
Chronology Trace // before & after
No dated sibling signals are available yet.
Official Files // source material
1 linkedAl Taqaddum Case Resolution
UNCLASSIFIED 1 UNCLASSIFIED All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) U.S. Department of War Case: “The Al Taqaddum Object” Case Resolution | 8 September 2025 AARO Assessment and Case Status AARO assesses with high confidence that the Al Taqaddum object did not exhibit anomalous behavior or capabilities. AARO assesses with high confidence that the object was consistent with a cluster of fully and partially inflated balloons (Figure 1). Case Overview On October 23, 2017, an infrared (IR) sensor aboard an aerostat force protection dirigible (blimp) operating at 2,700 feet above Al Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq, recorded 17 minutes and 30 seconds of footage featuring an unidentified object that appears to be floating above the ground. Key Findings AARO assesses with high c