China aimed lasers at American pilots flying over Djibouti, new complaint alleges

US and Chinese flags.
(Image credit: FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

The U.S. has accused China of aiming lasers at American pilots flying over Djibouti, launching a formal complaint Wednesday morning, The Associated Press reported. The incidents reportedly injured two pilots.

U.S. pilots were already told "to exercise caution when flying in certain areas in Djibouti" because lasers were being aimed at U.S. aircraft, per a notice obtained by CNN. China recently built an airbase in the East African country, right next to the U.S.'s base, AP noted.

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Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.