(ALJAZEERA) United States military has shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina, a week after it entered US airspace and triggered a dramatic spying saga that worsened relations between Beijing and Washington.
President Joe Biden said on Saturday that he had issued an order on Wednesday to take down the balloon, but the Pentagon had recommended waiting until it could be done over open water to safeguard civilians from debris crashing to Earth.
The balloon had been flying at about 18,300 metres (60,000 ft).
“We successfully took it down, and I want to compliment our aviators who did it,” Biden told reporters.