ALBAWABA- In a provocative move, China targeted a German reconnaissance aircraft with a high-powered laser while it was flying over the Red Sea as part of the European Union’s ASPIDES naval operation.
The German plane was conducting surveillance on Houthi movements under the mission's stated aim of "protecting navigation."
According to Berlin, the Chinese military's laser temporarily blinded the aircraft's systems, putting the crew's safety at serious risk and disrupting the mission.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry swiftly summoned the Chinese ambassador, condemning the act as "entirely unacceptable."
In a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the ministry stated: "The Chinese military employed a laser targeting a German aircraft in the EU operation ASPIDES. Endangering German personnel & disrupting the operation is entirely unacceptable. The Chinese ambassador was summoned to the Federal Foreign Office today."
This incident occurred just two days after Yemen’s Houthi forces targeted a ship en route to Israel, claiming the vessel violated their imposed sanctions on Israeli ports.
The timing of China’s interference raises alarms, as it may be seen as an attempt to undermine Western naval efforts in the region, efforts that critics argue are less about maritime security and more about indirectly supporting Israel’s military activities.
China’s action signals growing geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea, a vital but volatile maritime corridor now becoming a flashpoint for international rivalries.
