US releases second batch of declassified UFO files

Video display of a UFO during a US House hearing in 2022
More than 220 files have been released in a batch of files about unidentified anomalous phenomena. -AP

The US Defense Department has released a second batch of previously ‌classified files on alleged UFO sightings, including references to ‌people reporting unexplained green orbs, discs and fireballs.

At the ‌order of President Donald Trump, the first batch was made public on May 8.

He is the latest president to release US government reports ‌on unidentified ‌flying ⁠objects, a disclosure process that began in ​the late 1970s.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the documents, photos and videos of what are officially known as "unidentified anomalous phenomena" had long fuelled speculation.

"It's time ⁠the American people ‌see ​it for themselves," he said in a statement.

One ​of the 222 ‌files released on Friday contains 116 pages of ​documentation relating to a series of reported sightings and investigations in a top ​secret ​facility in Sandia, ​New Mexico, from 1948 to 1950.

"This ‌file contains 209 sightings of 'green orbs', 'discs', and 'fireballs' reported near the military base," the Defense Department said.

Experts said the first batch contained new videos ​of known sightings but gave no conclusive evidence ​of alien ⁠technology or extraterrestrial life.