Pakistan Warns of Military Response Against Any Attack on Its Ships Amid Yemen-Saudi Red Sea Crisis

ISLAMABAD, Jul 23: Pakistan has warned that it reserves the right to take military action to protect its maritime interests after Yemen’s Ansarallah movement announced a blockade targeting Saudi shipping in the Red Sea.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office said on July 22 that any attack on Pakistani-flagged vessels or Pakistani shipping interests would be considered a direct threat to the country’s national security and sovereignty.

“Pakistan reaffirms that any hostile act against Pakistani-flagged vessels or Pakistani maritime interests will be regarded as a grave threat to Pakistan’s national security and sovereign interests,” the ministry said in a statement.

Islamabad said it could take “all necessary measures, including lawful use of force,” under the principles of self-defence and international law, to protect its maritime assets and national interests.

The Foreign Office also condemned threats issued by Yemen’s Ansarallah against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, saying attacks on vessels involved in lawful trade would be “unacceptable” and a violation of international law.

Pakistan warned that such actions could threaten regional stability, restrict freedom of navigation, disrupt global trade routes and undermine maritime security.

The statement follows an announcement by the Ansarallah-led Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) on July 20 declaring a ban on all Saudi shipping, describing it as a response to what it called years of war and blockade against Yemen by Saudi Arabia.

The YAF said the measure was based on a “blockade for blockade” principle and called for continued mobilisation against the Saudi-led coalition.

The latest developments have raised concerns over further risks to commercial shipping in the Red Sea, a key route for global trade and energy transportation.