China Rubbishes Reports of Laser Attacks from its Djibouti Base

China has rubbished reports of laser attacks originating from its African military base of Djibouti which were reportedly detected by US and other Western military aircraft and ships operating in the Indian Ocean region.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Military warned pilots to exercise “extreme caution” in Djibouti after an unauthorized laser activity was detected in the area, various local media reported.  Jane's Defense Weekly reported that the laser coordinates matched with Djibouti in the Gulf of Aden, about 750 meters from China's base. 

However, a Chinese military expert was quoted as saying by Global Times: "China's Djibouti base is quite small and serves as logistical support. The US should treat the base with a fair attitude and stop making up rumors about it".  

The US aircraft threatened our base, another source said.

The accusation that China used a laser weapon in Djibouti is groundless as it was based on false accusations that China has a history of making laser weaponry and the location is near China's base, the military expert told the Global Times.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army support base in Djibouti was established on August 1, 2017. It is China's first overseas base.