Leaked US Air Force drone footage shows UFOs in airspace over Middle East
Two videos recorded by U.S. military drones and recently made public are drawing renewed attention to unidentified aerial sightings over the Middle East.
The footage, captured more than 13 years ago by Air Force MQ‑9 Reaper drones, was released by investigative journalist George Knapp and filmmaker Jeremy Corbell, both known for their work on unidentified aerial phenomena.
U.S. defense and intelligence officials use the term Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) for sightings that cannot be readily explained. In one video, dated Aug. 23, 2012, three bright lights appear in a triangular formation over the Persian Gulf. According to Knapp and Corbell’s report, the objects seem to change direction abruptly, and the drone’s Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system does not show a heat signature typically associated with conventional aircraft or propulsion.
A second video, recorded in 2021 near the Syria–Jordan border, shows a single orb-like object. While the drone’s systems reportedly achieved a weapons-grade radar lock, slowed footage appears to show the object slipping out of the lock and disappearing from view. As with the earlier footage, no heat signature is visible.
George Knapp and I have obtained and are revealing for the first time military-filmed footage of multiple UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena), officially documented and cataloged within Intelligence Community investigations as “orbs” in formation. Official designation of UAP… pic.twitter.com/6lLwliVQyN
— Jeremy Kenyon Lockyer Corbell (@JeremyCorbell) January 30, 2026
The videos are part of ongoing efforts by researchers and lawmakers calling for the release of additional military recordings of unexplained aerial encounters. During a congressional hearing on Sept. 9, 2025, Rep. Eric Burlison (R‑Mo.) referenced separate Reaper drone footage that he said showed an orb continuing to fly after being struck by a Hellfire missile.
The Department of Defense did not respond to a request for comment.
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