In an incident earlier this month, Germany's foreign ministry accused China of firing a laser from a warship at its reconnaissance plane conducting EU-led operations to safeguard vessels from missile threats posed by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The incident prompted Germany to summon the Chinese ambassador, denouncing the attack as "entirely unacceptable." Calls for clarification were echoed by the European Union, as Beijing provided its rebuttal, claiming Germany's assertions were "totally inconsistent" with their knowledge of the situation.
Operatives from Berlin reported the laser incident occurred while their aircraft was in flight over the Red Sea, where European nations have bolstered defensive missions since early 2024. The German military stated that the Chinese ship was uncommunicative during its maneuvers. As a precaution, the reconnaissance plane was recalled to Djibouti, according to Germany.
Germany expressed outrage at the situation, labeling it a threat to its personnel and a disruption to ongoing operations. In contrast, Chinese spokesperson Mao Ning clarified that their naval forces were engaged in legitimate escort operations in the Gulf of Aden and near Somalia. She urged both countries to communicate effectively to avoid further misunderstandings.
Historically, laser targeting of military aircraft has been attributed to China, primarily by the US, although such allegations have been consistently denied by Beijing. Military advancements worldwide have raised concerns over the development of powerful lasers designed to incapacitate airborne targets.
China has maintained a military presence in Djibouti since 2017, which it describes as a base for anti-piracy efforts and ensuring maritime navigation freedom. Concerns linger among Western nations regarding China's strategic objectives in the region, especially given Djibouti's pivotal location adjacent to the Red Sea and Suez Canal, crucial for global shipping routes.
Operatives from Berlin reported the laser incident occurred while their aircraft was in flight over the Red Sea, where European nations have bolstered defensive missions since early 2024. The German military stated that the Chinese ship was uncommunicative during its maneuvers. As a precaution, the reconnaissance plane was recalled to Djibouti, according to Germany.
Germany expressed outrage at the situation, labeling it a threat to its personnel and a disruption to ongoing operations. In contrast, Chinese spokesperson Mao Ning clarified that their naval forces were engaged in legitimate escort operations in the Gulf of Aden and near Somalia. She urged both countries to communicate effectively to avoid further misunderstandings.
Historically, laser targeting of military aircraft has been attributed to China, primarily by the US, although such allegations have been consistently denied by Beijing. Military advancements worldwide have raised concerns over the development of powerful lasers designed to incapacitate airborne targets.
China has maintained a military presence in Djibouti since 2017, which it describes as a base for anti-piracy efforts and ensuring maritime navigation freedom. Concerns linger among Western nations regarding China's strategic objectives in the region, especially given Djibouti's pivotal location adjacent to the Red Sea and Suez Canal, crucial for global shipping routes.
