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Why the Iraq Jellyfish Was Identified as Balloons

The Al Taqaddum jellyfish looked strange in infrared, but the full recording supported a wind-driven cluster of damaged balloons.

28 sources 3 graphics

On this page

  • What the infrared footage showed
  • How the official assessment was reached
  • Why balloon clusters can look mechanical
Preview for Why the Iraq Jellyfish Was Identified as Balloons

Introduction

The so-called “jellyfish” UAP recorded near Al Taqaddum Air Base in Iraq became one of the most widely discussed military UFO videos after short infrared clips were released publicly in early 2024. The unusual shape appeared to drift silently while seemingly displaying dangling appendages, leading to speculation that it represented an unknown craft or advanced technology. However, the later release of the complete infrared recording and the Pentagon’s formal investigation substantially changed the evidential picture.

Jellyfish UAP illustration 1

Rather than confirming an unexplained phenomenon, the full 17-minute sequence provided investigators with enough information to reconstruct the object’s motion, compare it with local wind conditions and examine its infrared appearance frame by frame. The US Department of Defense’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) concluded with high confidence that the object was a cluster of partially and fully inflated balloons moving with the wind rather than exhibiting anomalous flight characteristics.[DVIDS]dvidshub.netVideo - Al Taqaddum ObjectApril 29, 2025…Published: April 29, 2025

What the infrared footage actually showed

The recording was captured on 23 October 2017 by an infrared camera mounted on a force-protection aerostat overlooking Al Taqaddum Air Base in Iraq. Unlike the short edited clips that circulated online, the complete recording lasts approximately 17½ minutes and follows the object over an extended period.[DVIDS]dvidshub.netVideo - Al Taqaddum ObjectApril 29, 2025…Published: April 29, 2025

Viewed without context, the object appears irregular, almost organic, with a rounded upper section and multiple darker projections hanging beneath it. These features inspired the nickname “jellyfish.” Because the footage comes from a thermal infrared sensor rather than an ordinary daylight camera, brightness represents thermal contrast rather than visible colour or surface detail.

The longer recording proved especially important because it allowed analysts to examine the object’s behaviour rather than relying on isolated frames. Instead of sudden acceleration, abrupt direction changes or other extraordinary manoeuvres, the object followed a slow, wind-driven path consistent with passive airborne material.[DVIDS]dvidshub.netVideo - Al Taqaddum ObjectApril 29, 2025…Published: April 29, 2025

How the official assessment was reached

AARO’s assessment relied on considerably more information than was available in the publicly released excerpts. According to the published case resolution, investigators combined:

  • full-motion video analysis rather than still images;
  • pixel-level examination of the infrared imagery;
  • video metadata from the sensor system;
  • geolocation and line-of-sight reconstruction;
  • weather and wind data;
  • comparison with previously documented balloon clusters.[DVIDS]dvidshub.netVideo - Al Taqaddum ObjectApril 29, 2025…Published: April 29, 2025

The office concluded with high confidence that the object was consistent with a cluster of partially and fully inflated balloons.

Its estimated movement—roughly 4 to 14 miles per hour at an altitude between about 850 and 2,200 feet—matched expected wind conditions rather than powered flight. AARO further concluded that the object displayed no anomalous speed, acceleration or manoeuvring capabilities.[UFO Transparency]ufotransparency.comUFO TransparencyAARO Resolves Al Taqaddum 'Jellyfish' as Balloons, DoD / All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) · 2023 · UFO Transpa…

This distinction matters. In UAP investigations, unusual appearance alone is not regarded as sufficient evidence of anomalous technology. Behaviour measured over time carries greater weight than subjective visual impressions.

4:32

Marine confirms he saw 'Jellyfish' UAP video during Iraq deployment | Vargas Reports

Channel: NewsNation · Views: 487.7K · Uploaded: January 2024 · Length: 4 minutes 32 seconds

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Why balloon clusters can look mechanical

One reason the footage attracted so much attention is that clusters of damaged balloons can produce surprisingly unfamiliar silhouettes in infrared imagery.

Several factors combine to create this effect:

  • Mixed inflation levels. Balloons in a cluster rarely remain uniformly inflated. Some retain their shape while others partially collapse, creating an irregular outline.
  • Dangling strings and attachments. Tethers, ribbons or connecting lines may hang below the balloons, giving the impression of legs or tentacles.
  • Changing orientation. Wind continuously rotates the cluster, altering its apparent shape from one frame to the next.
  • Infrared contrast. Thermal cameras compress temperature differences into greyscale values. Objects with little heat of their own can appear dramatically different against changing backgrounds.

AARO specifically noted that fully inflated balloons, partially inflated balloons and dangling strings became visible at different moments during the video, supporting the balloon-cluster interpretation.[UFO Transparency]ufotransparency.comUFO TransparencyAARO Resolves Al Taqaddum 'Jellyfish' as Balloons, DoD / All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) · 2023 · UFO Transpa…

Jellyfish UAP illustration 2

Why the object initially appeared more mysterious

The early public discussion was shaped largely by short excerpts rather than the complete sequence.

Several characteristics encouraged more dramatic interpretations:

  • the unusual “jellyfish” silhouette;
  • the absence of obvious wings or propellers;
  • thermal imagery that concealed familiar visual cues;
  • limited information about camera geometry, altitude and range;
  • claims made before official analysis became available.

Without metadata or environmental context, estimating an object’s size, distance and speed from infrared footage is notoriously difficult. Small nearby objects can resemble large distant ones, while passive drift may appear purposeful if camera movement is not fully understood.

The release of the complete recording reduced many of these ambiguities because investigators could analyse the entire track instead of isolated moments.[DVIDS]dvidshub.netVideo - Al Taqaddum ObjectApril 29, 2025…Published: April 29, 2025

12:44

VFX Artists DEBUNK Jellyfish UFO Videos

Channel: Corridor Crew · Views: 880.3K · Uploaded: January 2024 · Length: 12 minutes

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Competing explanations and why they were rejected

Before AARO published its findings, numerous alternative explanations circulated.

One proposal suggested the object might have been an unconventional drone disguised with netting or camouflage. AARO evaluated this possibility but rejected it, noting that a quadrotor-type unmanned aircraft would not be expected to drift passively with the wind and would likely produce detectable infrared signatures from its motors.[UFO Transparency]ufotransparency.comUFO TransparencyAARO Resolves Al Taqaddum 'Jellyfish' as Balloons, DoD / All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) · 2023 · UFO Transpa…

More extraordinary interpretations—including unknown aerospace technology or extraterrestrial craft—were likewise unsupported by the available evidence. The official review found no measured performance beyond known physical capabilities.

Importantly, the assessment does not argue that every unusual aerial observation has a mundane explanation. Instead, it concludes that this specific recording is best explained by ordinary airborne objects once the complete dataset is analysed.

18:21

Full Uncut Tracking Video of the Infamous 'Jellyfish' UAP over Iraq

Channel: Media Magik Entertainment · Views: 76.1K · Uploaded: April 2025 · Length: 18 minutes

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What this case illustrates about infrared UAP evidence

The Al Taqaddum recording has become an instructive example of how military infrared footage can generate convincing visual illusions.

Three broader lessons emerge:

  • Long recordings are far more informative than short viral clips. Behaviour observed over many minutes often resolves apparent mysteries.
  • Sensor data matters as much as imagery. Metadata, camera position, environmental conditions and line-of-sight reconstruction frequently determine whether an object can be identified.
  • Appearance is less reliable than measured motion. Highly unusual silhouettes do not necessarily indicate unusual objects.

These principles extend beyond this single Iraqi incident and help explain why many military UAP investigations change as additional sensor information becomes available.

Jellyfish UAP illustration 3

Place within Iraq’s documented UAP record

Within Iraq’s relatively small body of well-documented UAP cases, the Al Taqaddum “jellyfish” occupies an unusual position. Unlike older anecdotal sightings, it originates from a military surveillance system operating in a conflict zone with extensive sensor coverage. Yet unlike the still-debated Mosul orb, this case has now received a formal technical resolution from AARO.

For that reason, it serves as one of the strongest examples in the Iraqi record of an initially puzzling infrared observation being explained through additional data rather than remaining genuinely unresolved. The episode demonstrates both why military imagery can appear extraordinary and why careful sensor analysis is essential before drawing conclusions about unidentified aerial phenomena.[dvidshub.net]dvidshub.netVideo - Al Taqaddum ObjectApril 29, 2025…Published: April 29, 2025

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Endnotes

1. Source: aaro.mil
Link:https://www.aaro.mil/Next-AARO-Home-redesign/Next-Parent/Next-AARO-UAP-Imagery-Acc-Table/

Source snippet

AARO bases its assessment on the object’s strong morphological consistency w...

2. Source: defense.gov
Title: DO D Examining Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena > U.S
Link:https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3965403/dod-examining-unidentified-anomalous-phenomena/

Source snippet

Department of Defense > Defense Department NewsNovember 14, 2024 — DOD EXAMINING UNIDENTIFIED ANOMALOUS PHENOMENA Nov. 14, 2024 | By Davi...

Published: November 14, 2024

3. Source: defense.gov
Link:https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3701297/dod-report-discounts-sightings-of-extraterrestrial-technology/

4. Source: defense.gov
Link:https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3700894/statement-by-pentagon-press-secretary-maj-gen-pat-ryder-on-the-historical-recor/

5. Source: defense.gov
Link:https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3561843/statement-by-pentagon-press-secretary-brig-gen-pat-ryder-on-the-annual-report-o/

6. Source: defense.gov
Link:https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3513171/the-department-of-defense-launches-the-all-domain-anomaly-resolution-office-web/

7. Source: defense.gov
Link:https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/article/3368109/dod-working-to-better-understand-resolve-anomalous-phenomena/

8. Source: aaro.mil
Link:https://www.aaro.mil/Next-AARO-Home-redesign/Next-Parent/Next-UAP-Case-RR-Data-Table/

9. Source: aaro.mil
Link:https://www.aaro.mil/UAP-Cases/Official-UAP-Imagery/4/

10. Source: aaro.mil
Title: Next UAP Imagery dup
Link:https://www.aaro.mil/Next-AARO-Home-redesign/Inactive-Parent/Next-UAP-Imagery-dup/

11. Source: aaro.mil
Link:https://www.aaro.mil/Next-AARO-Home-redesign/Next-Parent/AARO-UAP-Case-Resolution-DT/

12. Source: aaro.mil
Link:https://www.aaro.mil/Next-AARO-Home-redesign/Next-Parent/Next-UAP-Report-Documents/

13. Source: dvidshub.net
Link:https://www.dvidshub.net/video/960331/al-taqaddum-object

Source snippet

Video - Al Taqaddum ObjectApril 29, 2025...

Published: April 29, 2025

14. Source: ufotransparency.com
Link:https://ufotransparency.com/files/decade-2020s-aaro-case-resolution-reports-2023-2025-aaro-al-taqaddam-case-resolution-final

Source snippet

UFO TransparencyAARO Resolves Al Taqaddum 'Jellyfish' as Balloons, DoD / All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) · 2023 · UFO Transpa...

15. Source: ufotransparency.com
Link:https://ufotransparency.com/files/decade-2020s-aaro-website-launch-case-resolutions-2023-aaro-al-taqaddam-case-resolution-final

Additional References

16. Source: ufofeed.com
Title: 2017 jellyfish video stabilized part i 5 min of 17 min full video release
Link:https://www.ufofeed.com/124828/2017-jellyfish-video-stabilized-part-i-5-min-of-17-min-full-video-release/

Source snippet

2017 Jellyfish Video Stabilized - Part I 5 min of 17 min Full Video Release - UFO FEEDMay 6, 2025 — Image: 2017 Jellyfish Video Stabilize...

Published: May 6, 2025

17. Source: ufofeed.com
Title: AAR O’s analysis determined the “Jellyfish UAP” is a cluster of balloons
Link:https://www.ufofeed.com/124272/aaros-analysis-determined-the-jellyfish-uap-is-a-cluster-of-balloons-aaro-released-this-statement-while-the-immaculate-constellation-whistleblower-interview-was-airing/

Source snippet

AARO released this statement while the Immaculate Constellation whistleblower interview was airing. - UFO FEEDMay 3, 2025 — Image: AARO’s...

Published: May 3, 2025

18. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0V9mhk9Hm0

Source snippet

PiFi #90 - Michael Cincoski - USMC Vet with Mick West and Steven Greenstreet - Jellyfish Video...

19. Source: wikidisc.org
Title: Jellyfish UFO video | Wiki Disc
Link:https://www.wikidisc.org/wiki/Jellyfish_UFO_video

Source snippet

Jellyfish UFO video | WikiDiscJuly 1, 2026 — JELLYFISH UFO VIDEO [Input] Add languages Add links * Page * Discussion [Input] English * Re...

Published: July 1, 2026

20. Source: youtube.com
Title: Pi Fi #90
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKkbw4rkOLo

Source snippet

Questions swirl around new 'jellyfish' UAP footage | NewsNation Prime...

21. Source: ameblo.jp
Title: AARO assesses
Link:https://ameblo.jp/kz0222/entry-12898628595.html

Source snippet

最新！AARO発表 話題を呼んだ怪しいクラゲUAPはバルーンの集合体、コーベルの反論待ち | Kz.UFO現象調査会(Kz.UFO Network Japan）主宰 丹羽公三（Kozo Niwa）April 29, 2025 — 新規登録 最新！AARO発表 話題を呼んだ怪...

Published: April 29, 2025

22. Source: youtube.com
Title: VFX Artists DEBUNK Jellyfish UFO Videos
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRFSXWDmBYM

Source snippet

Marine confirms he saw 'Jellyfish' UAP video during Iraq deployment | Vargas Reports...

23. Source: mufon.com
Link:https://mufon.com/2024/02/13/the-iraqi-jellyfish-uap-a-mufon-analysis-by-bob-spearing-director-of-international-investigations/

24. Source: youtube.com
Title: Full Uncut Tracking Video of the Infamous ‘Jellyfish’ UAP over Iraq
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb45rXZX6Yw

Source snippet

VFX Artists DEBUNK Jellyfish UFO Videos...

25. Source: youtube.com
Title: Questions swirl around new ‘jellyfish’ UAP footage | News Nation Prime
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfYWsTYDpU0