❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Chinese military allegedly targeted a laser at a German aircraft involved in a European Union-led mission in the Red Sea.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: German aircraft, Chinese military, and the European Union’s Aspides mission.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred during a routine operation over the Red Sea.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Endangering German personnel (and) disrupting the operation is entirely unacceptable.” – German foreign ministry
🎯IMPACT: The German aircraft’s mission was aborted, and the aircraft returned to a base in Djibouti.
Berlin has raised concerns over an incident in which the Chinese military allegedly targeted a German aircraft with a laser. The NATO country’s aircraft was participating in the European Union’s Aspides mission, which aims to safeguard marine traffic in the Red Sea.
The German foreign ministry took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the act, stating that “Endangering German personnel (and) disrupting the operation is entirely unacceptable.” The ministry further revealed that the Chinese ambassador to Berlin had been summoned for discussions.
According to a spokesman from the German defense ministry, the aircraft was targeted “without reason or prior contact” during a routine mission. The Chinese vessel’s actions were described as posing a threat to both personnel and equipment.
Following the encounter, the German aircraft was forced to abandon its mission and return to its base in Djibouti. The nature of the laser, whether a weapon or a guidance system, remains unclear.
This development has sparked diplomatic tensions, with Germany demanding explanations and assurances from Beijing regarding the incident.
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