Pakistan threatens force to protect Red Sea shipping after Houthi warning against Saudi Arabia

New Delhi: Pakistan on Wednesday declared that any threat to its commercial shipping or maritime interests in the Red Sea would invite a strong response, saying it reserves the right to act in self-defence, including through the lawful use of force. The warning comes as security concerns mount in the Red Sea following escalating threats by Yemen’s Houthi rebels against vessels linked to Saudi Arabia.

Issuing a sharply worded statement, the Pakistan’s foreign ministry said Islamabad would regard any attack on Pakistani-flagged vessels as a direct threat to its national security and sovereign interests. It added that the country’s response would be guided by the UN Charter and international law.

The ministry also reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for Saudi Arabia, describing the kingdom as a close strategic partner. It said Islamabad was deeply concerned over attempts to expand the Middle East conflict by targeting Saudi Arabia and warned that threats to trade with the kingdom could have serious regional and economic consequences.

Pakistan said intimidation of merchant shipping carrying out legitimate trade with Saudi Arabia was unacceptable and violated established principles of international law. It added that attacks on commercial vessels undermine freedom of navigation, weaken the rules-based maritime order and risk disrupting global supply chains.

The statement followed a warning by Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, who announced that the group was imposing a ban on maritime navigation to Saudi Arabia and advised shipping companies to avoid Saudi ports. The Iran-backed rebels said the measure had taken immediate effect and linked it to what they described as a Saudi blockade.

Calling for restraint, Pakistan urged all parties to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety of international maritime traffic. It reiterated its commitment to diplomacy while stressing that its maritime interests would be defended if threatened.

The Houthis’ decision to strike Saudi-linked maritime traffic has spread the conflict beyond the Strait of Hormuz into the Red Sea, putting pressure on two of the world’s most strategically important shipping corridors, as RNA Media reported earlier. Critical to global trade, a substantial portion of the world’s crude oil, liquefied natural gas and container traffic passes through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.

Recent events have increased the alertness of shipping companies and governments to security developments in the region. There’s still military and diplomatic action, but concerns about the safety of commercial shipping and the impact of any longer-term disruption of global energy supplies and supply chains.