2008 Intel Report from Zimbabwe on UFO hovering at high altitude with beams emanating from it, over Harare International Airport
This CIA information report, dated 3 July 2008 and classified SECRET//NOFORN, describes an unidentified object observed over Harare International Airport, Zimbabwe on the afternoon of 2 July 2008, reportedly detected by both radar and optical means. Observers described a disc-like object with a hollow center and rotating lights on its underside; at one point 'beams' were said to emanate from it, and the rotating lights shifted colors before the object ascended rapidly out of visual range. According to the releasing agency's page context, individuals aware of the incident debated whether it was an advanced reconnaissance device belonging to a foreign government or an unidentified flying object of extraterrestrial origin. Regardless of origin, the incident contributed to a decision to place Zimbabwe on high alert. The report was addressed to a broad list of U.S. recipients including the White House Situation Room, DNI, DIA, NSA, FBI, FAA, and multiple combatant commands. It was approved for release in 2026 under Section 1842 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 and published by the U.S. Department of War as part of a UAP records release.
Description
A declassified CIA intelligence information report documenting a July 2008 sighting of an unidentified object hovering at high altitude over Harare International Airport, Zimbabwe. Widely distributed to U.S. defense, intelligence, and civilian agencies, the report recounts observers debating whether the object was a foreign reconnaissance device or of extraterrestrial origin, and notes the incident prompted placing Zimbabwe on high alert.
Claims
The incident contributed to a decision to place Zimbabwe on high alert.
70%Individuals aware of the incident debated whether the object was an advanced foreign reconnaissance device or an unidentified flying object of extraterrestrial origin.
70%An unidentified object was observed hovering at high altitude over Harare International Airport on the afternoon of 2 July 2008, possibly detected by both radar and optical means.
60%On the afternoon of 2 July 2008, an unidentified object was observed by radar and/or optical means hovering at high altitude over Harare International Airport.
60%Observers debated whether the object was an advanced foreign reconnaissance device or of extraterrestrial origin.
55%Observers described the object as disc-like with a hollow center and rotating lights on the underside that shifted colors before it ascended rapidly.
55%The object was disc-like with a hollow center and a series of rotating lights on its underside that shifted colors.
50%'Beams' were observed emanating from the object.
50%'Beams' were observed emanating from the object during observation.
45%
Events
Jul 1, 2008
UFO sighting over Harare International Airport
An unidentified disc-like object with a hollow center and rotating underside lights was observed, possibly by radar and optical means, hovering at high altitude over Harare International Airport before ascending rapidly out of visual range.
Jun 30, 2008
Zimbabwe placed on high alert
The sighting incident contributed to a decision to place Zimbabwe on high alert.
Dec 31, 2025
Approved for release
Document declassified and approved for release under Section 1842 of the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act.
Jul 2, 2008
Report distribution
CIA information report disseminated to White House Situation Room, DNI, and numerous defense/intelligence agencies.
Placement of Zimbabwe on high alert
The incident contributed to a decision to place Zimbabwe assets on high alert.
Jun 11, 2026
Declassification and release
Document approved for release in 2026 under Section 1842 of the FY2024 NDAA and published in a Department of War UAP batch.
Dates mentioned
Keywords
Entities
Organizations
Extracted text (OCR)
Trident https://www.trident.cia/DispJayDocument.do?documentView=original Approv e d for Release 202 6 Under S e cti o n 18 42 o f the Na t io na l Defense Autho ri z at io n Act fo r F i sca l Yea r 2024 8E8fU!.?MNOFORN SECRETNOFORN 03171OZ CIA WASHINGTON DC 455482 TO: WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM WASHINGTON DC, DNI WASHINGTON DC, SECSTATE WASHINGTON DC//INR/DSITA//, NGA NAVY YARD WASHINGTON DC, DIA WASHINGTON DC, JOlNT STAFF WASHINGTON DC, DA AMHS WASHINGTON DC, DA WASHINGTON DC, ONI WASHINGTON DC, CNO WASHlNGTON DC, DTRNAVCRIMINVSERV WASHINGTON DC// ATAC /0022//, CMC WASHINGTON DC, CSAF WASHINGTON DC, AFIAAAMHS BOLLING AFB DC, JWAC DAHLGREN VA//J2//, DIRNSA FT GEORGE G MEADE MD, ANCHORY FT GEORGE G MEADE MD, DEPT OF lREASURY WASHINGTON DC, FBI WASHINGTON DC, US SECRET SERVICE WASHINGTON DC//ID//, NCTC WASHINGTON DC, FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC, DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON DC//S-60//, HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC, TSA HQ WASHINGTON DC, DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC, CDR USEUCOM INTEL VAIHINGEN GE//J-2//, JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK//OOA//, US SURVEY DIV SHAPE BE, CDRUSAREUR DCSINTHEIDELBERG GE//AEAGB-IAD//, UTAIS RAMSTEIN AB GE//INO//, COMSIXTHFLT, SRJOIC NAPLES IT, CTF 67, CTF 69, COMSOCEUR V AIHINGEN GE, HQ USJFCOM NORFOLK VA, COMUSFLTFORCOM NORFOLK VA, COMMARFORCOM, ACC IN LANGLEY AFB VA, CJTF 6 FT BLISS TX//FCJT-J2//, COMSECONDFLT, USSTRATCOM INTEL DIRECTORATE OFFUTT AFB NE, CDR USTRANSCOM INTEL CELL SCOTT AFB ·IL, USSOCOM INTEL MACDILL AFB FL, COMJSOC FT BRAGG NC//J2//, HQ lJSAFRTCOM STI JTTGARTGE I I PASS: DrA FOR TERRORISM . CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY INFORMATION REPORT, NOT FINALLY EVALUATED INTELLIGENCE WARNING: SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE SOURCES AND METHODS INVOLVED. ANY TRANSMISSION OR REVELATION OF THIS INFORMATION IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTIIORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED. VIOLATORS MAY BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION, INCLUDING UNDER 11-IE ESPIONAGE LAWS OF TH E UNITED STATES. REPORT CLASS S EC RE T --NOFORN DIST: 3 JULY 2008 COUNTRY: ZIMBABWE TOPIC: DEPS/FMCC__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ SUBJ: PLACEMEN'Ij'-_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _pN HIGH ALERT DUE TO PERCEIVED AGGRESSIVE FOREIGN POSTURING DOI· EARLY JULY 2008 SUMMARY· NONI-'. TEXT: 1.I 2 . As of early July 2008, I 8liiiiGAE'F.'JIH8F6Rli.l 1 of3 6/ 15/2009 2:05 PM https://www.trident.cia/DisplayDocument.do?documentView~original TridGnt SEGRE I /lrJOflOI\I~ ~ - - - - - - - - - - - -______Jw.as reporting from Zimbabwe !regarding an unidentified object ~h~o=v~e~r~1=n~g~a~.t~=h1~g~h~~a~T~r~1~tude over the Harare International Airport. This object was observed, possibly by both radar and optical means, in the skies abo;;z.ec__li.ar_a_r_,e_ru;LLLna_-1:Jie__~ afternoon of 2 July 2008. Reporting a e o Jee a an un e erm1 directly over the Harare airport. At one point during observation ''beams'' were observed emanating from the ob'ec 3. Individuals~~==~~~~=~~~==~~~~ ho were aware of the incident ha e object was 'an advanced reconnaissance device belonging to a foreign government, or whether the object was an unidentified flying object of extraterrestrial origins. According to observers ~----~the object was disc-like in shape with a hollow center, and had a series of rotating lights on the underside of the airframe. After a period under observation from the ground, the rotating lights under the object shifted colors and the object quickly ascended to higher altitudes and out of visual ranue. Reuardless of the orinins. this incident.I l I ~"u~~~:L.LE'-'L~~·ted in the decision to place the Zimbabwe Ion hi h alert. 0 SEGRE I JJIQOFORN 2 of3 6/15/2009 2:05 PM https://www.trident.cia/DisplayDocument.do ?documentView~original Trident • SEGRE I JHQOFORI\I END OF MEc,c,AUE SE8RET,i'l46FO~l4 3 of3 6/15/2009 2:05 PM
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