The Red Sea has become a highly volatile region, where not only the warring parties, Israel and Yemen, are operating, but also many other world powers.
Incidents between different national militaries are to be expected, as it was the case between a German surveillance plane and a Chinese warship.
Reuters reported:
“Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador to the foreign ministry on Tuesday after saying China’s military had laser targeted a German aircraft taking part in an EU operation in the Red Sea.”
The tensions arise as the Chinese influence on the security infrastructure of Europe is being questioned by many nations. The incident took place in the beginning of July, and only revealed today (8).
“’Putting German personnel at risk and disrupting the operation is completely unacceptable’, said Germany’s foreign ministry on social media platform X.”
So far, the Chinese authorities have not responded to these accusations.
“Germany’s defense ministry said the aircraft, taking part in the EU’s ASPIDES mission which protects international sea routes in the Red Sea, had been contributing a Multi-Sensor Platform, or ‘flying eye’ for reconnaissance of the area since October.”
The Chinese warship has been encountered several times in the area, and reportedly targeted the laser on a German aircraft for no apparent reason or any prior communication.
“’By using the laser, the warship put at risk the safety of personnel and material’, said the spokesperson, adding the mission flight was aborted as a precaution and the aircraft landed safely at a base in Djibouti.”
This is not unheard of: China has denied accusations of firing or pointing lasers at US planes, but incidents involving a European member are more unusual.
“In 2020, the U.S. Pacific Fleet said a Chinese warship had fired a laser at a U.S. naval patrol aircraft flying in airspace above international waters west of Guam. China said that did not accord with the facts.”
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