Pakistan says three of its nationals killed in Red Sea strike, condemns Houthi attack

• Pakistan says three of its nationals were killed and another was wounded in a Houthi attack on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea.
• Islamabad says it is coordinating with Saudi Arabia and Yemen as concerns grow over maritime security in the region.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said three Pakistani nationals were killed and another was wounded in a Houthi attack on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea.

The deaths would mark the first reported fatalities in the Red Sea since the Yemen-based Houthis declared a blockade of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait on July 20.

Dar condemned the attack on X, saying strikes against commercial vessels endanger civilians and threaten freedom of navigation, maritime security and the safety of shipping.

“Pakistan strongly condemns the Houthi attack on a non-combatant commercial vessel,” Dar wrote.

Yemen’s internationally recognized government earlier accused the Houthis of killing four crew members and two rescue workers in what it described as a “double-tap” attack on a Saudi-owned vessel transiting the strait.

The Houthis claimed responsibility through their Saba news agency on Tuesday, saying the vessel was carrying military equipment. Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to the claim.

The Houthis warned last month that they would target Saudi shipping using the strait, citing a long-standing Saudi blockade against the group, which controls large parts of northern Yemen.

The attack comes shortly after Pakistan signed a mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, under which an attack against one signatory is to be regarded as an attack against all three.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad was “ready and willing to assist Saudi Arabia and other coalition partners to preserve the security and safety of maritime traffic.”

Andrabi said Pakistan was in contact with the Saudi and Yemeni governments to obtain further information about the attack.

The incident adds to growing concerns over maritime security in the Red Sea and the potential for wider regional escalation.