A Chinese warship has targeted a German aircraft as it worked to protect marine traffic over the Red Sea, Berlin has revealed.
Beijing’s military ‘endangered personnel’ participating in an EU-led mission, the German foreign ministry said in a statement.
It accused China of ‘disrupting’ the operation, adding that Beijing’s ambassador to Berlin had been summoned following the incident.
The EU launched Operation Aspides early last year to provide a naval presence in the Red Sea and Gulf amid attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on international commercial vessels.
The Houthis began their attacks in October 2023, saying their aim was to pressure Israel to stop the assault on Gaza, but have since targeted ships from around the world.
They have stepped up their attacks against international shipping in recent days, claiming on Sunday that they had sunk a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier called Magic Seas.
The attack with drones, missiles, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire, reportedly forced the vessel’s crew of 22 to abandon ship, before the rebels said it sank.
A maritime monitor has today reported that another cargo ship has been under continuous attack since Monday, losing power and suffering major damage.
‘The vessel has sustained significant damage and has lost all propulsion. The vessel is surrounded by small craft and is under continuous attack,’ the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said in a statement.
