Pakistan Condemns Houthi Red Sea Attack Killing Three Nationals
Pakistan has strongly condemned a deadly Houthi attack on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea after three Pakistani nationals were confirmed among those killed. The incident, reported on Wednesday, has placed Islamabad’s maritime and diplomatic concerns back at the centre of a rapidly worsening security situation in the region.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the government had received information that the Tanzania-flagged vessel Tihamah came under attack, causing deaths and injuries among crew members. Apart from the three Pakistani victims, an Indonesian national was also reported dead, while at least one Pakistani was injured.
The attack is being treated as a serious escalation because the targeted ship was described as a non-combatant commercial vessel. Pakistani officials are now trying to gather further details about the circumstances of the strike, the condition of the injured citizen and the arrangements needed to bring back the bodies of the deceased.
In his public reaction, Dar said Pakistan condemned the assault and viewed attacks on civilian shipping as a threat to innocent lives, international law and freedom of navigation. He also said Islamabad was in contact with Saudi authorities and Yemen’s internationally recognised government to obtain verified information and coordinate the required response.
The foreign minister directed Pakistan’s embassy in Riyadh to work with relevant authorities for the retrieval and repatriation of the dead. He also instructed officials to extend every possible form of support to the injured Pakistani national and to keep the government closely informed as more details emerge.
According to the report, the Tihamah was among vessels hit during a tense day in the Red Sea and nearby Gulf waters. Yemen’s coastguard said the initial strike caused a fire and heavy damage, while a second strike reportedly followed as rescue workers were trying to evacuate the ship.
The Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb route are among the world’s most sensitive commercial and energy shipping corridors. Repeated attacks in the area have already raised concerns for global trade, insurance costs, fuel movement and the safety of crews working on international vessels.
For Pakistan, the deaths carry both human and policy implications. Thousands of Pakistanis work in maritime, shipping and Gulf-linked industries, and any expansion of violence around sea lanes could expose workers, trade routes and diplomatic interests to greater risk.
The incident also comes after Pakistan recently warned that threats to Saudi Arabia and shipping connected with the kingdom would be taken seriously. Islamabad had previously described hostile action against its maritime interests as a red line, making this attack a major test of how Pakistan responds diplomatically and operationally.
Authorities are expected to continue coordination with Saudi and Yemeni officials while efforts proceed to repatriate the victims and assist the injured Pakistani. Further details are likely to determine whether Islamabad limits its response to diplomatic condemnation or pursues broader measures related to maritime security and regional coordination.