(PLO) – US President Joe Biden said that he authorized the shooting down of a Chinese spy balloon a day following being informed of the incident.
US President Joe Biden has said he authorized the shooting down of a Chinese spy balloon a day following being informed of the device hovering over “sensitive” military sites in Washington.
However, according to him, Pentagon officials convinced him to wait until the “safety” of people on the ground was assured, according to the newspaper. The Hill.
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US President Joe Biden. Photo: AP |
“On February 1, I ordered the Pentagon to shoot it down as soon as possible. They decided that they would shoot down when they made sure not to cause any damage to the people on the ground. They told me to wait until the hot air balloon reaches a safe place before doing that,” he said on February 4.
On February 4, the US military used F-22 fighter jets to shoot down a hot air balloon as it hovered off the southeastern coast of the country.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also confirmed on February 4 that Biden had directed a few days ago, but “Washington military commanders have determined that shooting down the balloon while on land would pose a risk. undue risk to people over a large area”.
VIDEO: The US shoots down a Chinese spy balloon
(PLO)- The US shot down a Chinese spy balloon as it hovered off the southeastern coast of the country.
DUONG KHANG
