According to him, the threats challenge the rules-based maritime order and undermine the uninterrupted flow of global trade.
Pakistan on Wednesday “unequivocally” condemned the continued threats made by the Houthi militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, warning that such actions jeopardize global trade and regional security, in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO).
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said Monday they were imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, a move that threatens to intensify conflict in the region and disrupt global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf.
The Houthi armed forces, in a statement, said they were declaring “a maritime embargo against the Saudi criminal enemy, based on the ‘eye for an eye’ equation, with immediate effect.” They said the move was a response to what they called “an unjust and oppressive siege” imposed on Yemen by the Saudis.
According to FO, “Pakistan unequivocally condemns the continued threats made by the Houthi militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea.”
Such actions “threaten regional security, undermine freedom of navigation, challenge the rules-based maritime order and endanger the uninterrupted flow of global trade,” it added.
FO said “threats to commercial shipping and trade with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are unacceptable and violate established principles of international law.”
He added that Pakistan was “particularly concerned by reports of threats directed against vessels engaged in lawful trade with the Kingdom.”
Reaffirming its stance on protecting its maritime interests, FO said, “Pakistan reaffirms that any hostile act against Pakistani flagged vessels or Pakistani maritime interests will be considered a serious threat to the national security and sovereign interests of Pakistan.”
Read: Yemen’s Houthis declare naval blockade against Saudi Arabia
The statement added that, “in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, Pakistan reserves the right to take all necessary measures, including the lawful use of force, in the exercise of self-defense to protect its maritime assets and national interests.”
FO also expressed concern over attempts to widen the regional conflict, saying “Pakistan is also deeply concerned about attempts to drag the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into the Middle East conflict and reiterates its unwavering support for the security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and prosperity of the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Calling for restraint and respect for international law, the statement said: “While remaining steadfast in its commitment to dialogue, diplomacy and regional de-escalation, Pakistan calls on all parties to respect international law and ensure the safety and security of international shipping.”
Completely closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the southern gateway to the Red Sea, would halt Saudi oil exports to Asia and could reduce global oil supplies by 7%.
The war in Iran has “already” reduced global supply by 10%.
“The question now is whether they will start targeting ships heading to Saudi ports. At this point, there is no clear answer,” said Mohammed Albasha, a Yemeni analyst and founder of Basha Report, a Washington-based risk consultancy.
“Even if no ships are attacked, the announcement alone is likely to disrupt shipping and create uncertainty for Saudi ports. The crucial question remains whether the Houthis move from threats to direct action,” he said.
The group fired missiles at Saudi Arabia last week after accusing the kingdom of bombing an airport under its control, breaking a four-year truce in the conflict between the kingdom and the Iran-aligned group.
