Pakistan’s foreign minister announced that three civilians were killed and one more injured in an attack on a commercial ship by Houthi militia in the Red Sea.
The death toll is the first death toll in the Red Sea since Yemen-based, Iranian-backed Houthis declared a blockade of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait on July 20. The death toll also comes after Pakistan signed mutual defense treaties with Saudi Arabia and Turkey amid fears of escalating conflict in the Middle East.
“Pakistan strongly condemns the Houthi attack on a non-combatant commercial vessel,” Ishaq Dar wrote in X.
“Such attacks endanger innocent lives, are a violation of international law, and pose a serious threat to freedom of navigation, maritime security and the safety of commercial shipping in the Red Sea.”
Yemen’s internationally recognized government earlier accused the Houthis of a “double tap” attack on a Saudi-owned ship sailing through the strait, killing four crew members and two rescue workers.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack on Tuesday through their group’s Sabah news agency, saying the ship was carrying military equipment. Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to the claims.
Last month, the group threatened to target Saudi ships attempting to pass through the strait in response to Saudi Arabia’s long-standing blockade of the group, which controls much of northern Yemen.
A mutual defense pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed earlier this month stipulates that an attack on any of them “will be considered an attack on all countries”.
Islamabad Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tahir Andrabi told reporters at a briefing on Wednesday that as a signatory to the agreement, the country is “ready and willing to support Saudi Arabia and other coalition partners in safeguarding the safety and security of maritime traffic.”
Andrabi said Pakistan was in contact with the Saudi and Yemeni governments to seek further information about the airstrike.
