Pakistan has issued a stark warning that it reserves the right to use force to protect its maritime assets and interests in the Red Sea, following escalating threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The Foreign Office in Islamabad condemned the group’s recent declaration of a total naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, describing the move as a direct challenge to regional security and the rules-based maritime order.
The statement marks a significant hardening of Pakistan’s posture in the conflict.
While Islamabad has previously expressed concern over disruptions to global trade, the explicit reservation of the right to use force signals a willingness to engage militarily if Pakistani-flagged vessels or citizens are targeted.
This development adds a new layer of complexity to the already volatile security environment in the Bab el-Mandeb strait and the wider Red Sea corridor.
For market participants, the involvement of a major regional power with a significant naval presence raises the risk of broader conflict escalation.