Latest news with #ASPIDES
Al Arabiya
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Four more rescued after Eternity C attacked, 11 still missing
Rescuers pulled three more crew members and a security guard alive from the Red Sea on Thursday, maritime security sources said, a day after Houthi militants sank the Greek ship Eternity C and said they were holding some of the crew still missing. This brings the total number of those rescued so far to 10, including eight Filipino crew members, one Indian and one Greek security guard. The people found on Thursday had spent more than 48 hours in the water. Another 11 people are still missing. 'This fills us with more courage to continue to search for those missing, as the Greek vessel operator requested, and shows that our search plan was correct,' said Nikos Georgopoulos, an official at the Greece-based maritime risk firm Diaplous. EU's naval mission ASPIDES also confirmed the rescue operation saying on X that three Filipino crew and a Greek member of the Eternity C ship's on-board security team were 'recovered from the sea -- bringing the total number of those rescued to 10,' Operation Aspides posted on X. Eternity C is the second Greek bulk carrier sunk this week by the Iran-aligned Houthi militia in Yemen. The attacks, which Houthis say are an act of solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war, have ended months of calm in the area. The United States' Mission in Yemen has accused the Houthis of kidnapping crew members and has called for their immediate release. On Wednesday, the Houthis' military spokesperson said in a televised address that the Yemeni navy had 'responded to rescue a number of the ship's crew, provide them with medical care, and transport them to a safe location.' The Eternity C sank on Wednesday days after Houthis hit and sunk the Magic Seas, reviving a campaign launched in November 2023 that has seen more than 100 ships attacked. Both of the vessels hit this week flew Liberian flags and were operated by Greek companies. All crew from the Magic Seas were rescued before it went down. Eternity C was first hit on Monday with sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades fired from speed boats. Four people are presumed dead, with maritime security sources saying they were killed in the attacks. If confirmed, the deaths would be the first fatalities in the area since June 2024. Following a second attack on Tuesday morning, the crew were forced to jump into the water. Rescuers have been searching for them since Wednesday morning. The vessel's operator, Cosmoship Management, has not responded to Reuters' requests for comment.
Daily Maverick
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Germany accuses China of laser targeting aircraft in EU mission
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, an account Beijing denied. The flare-up in tensions comes as concerns mount in the EU about Chinese influence on critical technologies and security infrastructure in Europe. 'Putting German personnel at risk and disrupting the operation is completely unacceptable,' said Germany's foreign ministry on social media platform X. China's foreign ministry, when asked about the accusation on Wednesday, said Germany's information was 'totally inconsistent with the facts known by the Chinese side.' 'The Chinese Navy carried out escort operations in the Gulf of Aden and waters around Somalia, fulfilled its responsibilities as a major country, and contributed to the maintenance of international waterway security,' ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference. China and Germany should 'take a fact-based attitude and strengthen communication in a timely manner to avoid misunderstanding and misjudgement,' Mao added. Germany's defence 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. A Chinese warship, which had been encountered several times in the area, had laser-targeted the aircraft with no reason or prior communication during a routine mission flight, said a ministry spokesperson. The incident took place at the beginning of July. '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. The deployment of the MSP in ASPIDES has since been resumed, he said. The MSP is operated by a civilian commercial service provider and German armed forces personnel are involved, said the ministry, adding the data collected significantly contributes to awareness for partners. China has previously denied accusations of firing or pointing lasers at U.S. planes. Incidents involving a European NATO member and China 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.
Egypt Independent
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Germany accuses China of laser targeting aircraft in EU mission
Berlin Reuters — 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 European Union operation in the Red Sea. The flare up in tensions comes as concerns mount in the EU about Chinese influence on critical technologies and security infrastructure in Europe. 'Putting German personnel at risk and disrupting the operation is completely unacceptable,' said Germany's Foreign Ministry on social media platform X. There was no immediate response from China's Foreign Ministry, and the Chinese Embassy in Berlin did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. 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. A Chinese warship, which had been encountered several times in the area, had laser targeted the aircraft with no reason or prior communication during a routine mission flight, said a ministry spokesperson. The incident took place at the beginning of July. '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. The deployment of the MSP in ASPIDES has since been resumed, he said. The MSP is operated by a civilian commercial service provider and German armed forces personnel are involved, said the ministry, adding the data collected significantly contributes to awareness for partners. China has previously denied accusations of firing or pointing lasers at US planes. Incidents involving a European NATO member and China are more unusual. In 2020, the US Pacific Fleet said a Chinese warship had fired a laser at a US naval patrol aircraft flying in airspace above international waters west of Guam. China said that did not accord with the facts.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Germany accuses China of laser targeting aircraft in EU mission
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 European Union operation in the Red Sea. The flare up in tensions comes as concerns mount in the EU about Chinese influence on critical technologies and security infrastructure in Europe. 'Putting German personnel at risk and disrupting the operation is completely unacceptable,' said Germany's Foreign Ministry on social media platform X. There was no immediate response from China's Foreign Ministry, and the Chinese Embassy in Berlin did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. 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. A Chinese warship, which had been encountered several times in the area, had laser targeted the aircraft with no reason or prior communication during a routine mission flight, said a ministry spokesperson. The incident took place at the beginning of July. '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. The deployment of the MSP in ASPIDES has since been resumed, he said. The MSP is operated by a civilian commercial service provider and German armed forces personnel are involved, said the ministry, adding the data collected significantly contributes to awareness for partners. China has previously denied accusations of firing or pointing lasers at US planes. Incidents involving a European NATO member and China are more unusual. In 2020, the US Pacific Fleet said a Chinese warship had fired a laser at a US naval patrol aircraft flying in airspace above international waters west of Guam. China said that did not accord with the facts.
CNN
09-07-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Germany accuses China of laser targeting aircraft in EU mission
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 European Union operation in the Red Sea. The flare up in tensions comes as concerns mount in the EU about Chinese influence on critical technologies and security infrastructure in Europe. 'Putting German personnel at risk and disrupting the operation is completely unacceptable,' said Germany's Foreign Ministry on social media platform X. There was no immediate response from China's Foreign Ministry, and the Chinese Embassy in Berlin did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. 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. A Chinese warship, which had been encountered several times in the area, had laser targeted the aircraft with no reason or prior communication during a routine mission flight, said a ministry spokesperson. The incident took place at the beginning of July. '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. The deployment of the MSP in ASPIDES has since been resumed, he said. The MSP is operated by a civilian commercial service provider and German armed forces personnel are involved, said the ministry, adding the data collected significantly contributes to awareness for partners. China has previously denied accusations of firing or pointing lasers at US planes. Incidents involving a European NATO member and China are more unusual. In 2020, the US Pacific Fleet said a Chinese warship had fired a laser at a US naval patrol aircraft flying in airspace above international waters west of Guam. China said that did not accord with the facts.
