Germany protests after Chinese warship attacks military aircraft
- Germany's Foreign Office summoned the Chinese ambassador in response to an incident in which a Chinese warship lasered a German military aircraft.
- The German aircraft was part of the EU mission Aspides aimed at protecting civilian vessels from Houthi rebel attacks in the southern Red Sea.
- Germany condemned the Chinese actions as unacceptable, expressing the need to ensure the safety of personnel conducting international maritime operations.
In a concerning incident earlier this month, a Chinese warship used a laser against a German aircraft operating in the Red Sea. This aircraft was part of the EU’s Aspides mission, designed to enhance protection for civilian vessels against threats from Houthi rebels in Yemen. Following the laser incident, which lacked any prior communication, the German Defense Ministry reported that the aircraft's mission was aborted for safety reasons. Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely in Djibouti, with its crew unharmed. The ongoing presence of Houthi rebels in the region poses significant risks to civilian shipping, making incidents like this particularly alarming. The German Foreign Office condemned the actions of the Chinese warship as unacceptable, emphasizing the dangers posed not only to personnel but also to the critical maritime operations underway in the high-risk region of the southern Red Sea. Despite the protest, Chinese officials did not respond immediately to the summons from the German ambassador, highlighting the potential for escalating tensions between Germany and China over military actions that disrupt international peacekeeping missions.