WASHINGTON: Pakistan condemned Houthi attacks on merchant shipping in the Bab al Mandab Strait and called for their immediate cessation, as the UN Security Council held its second discussion on Friday on the escalating threat to the strategic waterway in the wake of renewed hostilities.

“We call upon Houthi militia for immediate cessation of these provocative acts which could have dire consequences for maritime security, and regional peace and stability,” Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, told a Security Council meeting convened by Bahrain.

The meeting came two days after the Security Council was briefed on the rapidly deteriorating situation around Bab al Mandab, where the Houthis have advanced along Yemen’s western coast and reportedly captured several islands in the southern Red Sea.

United Nations Assistant Secretary General Khaled Khiari told the council that the situation in and around the strait had become “increasingly volatile”.

Pakistan’s permanent representative to UN reaffirms ‘unwavering support’ for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity

The UN official called for restoration of navigational rights and freedom in and around the Red Sea and Bab al Mandab in accordance with international law.

Ambassador Asim said the Houthi attacks seriously undermined maritime security and threatened peace and development in regional countries, “especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”, which he said was facing “blatant and unprovoked aggression” by the Houthis.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unw­a­vering support” for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity, saying that Pakistan stood in “complete solidarity” with its leadership, government and people.

The Bahrain-arranged meeting, held under the theme “Safe Seas, Shared Security: Protecting Freedom of Navigation in an Evolving Security Environment”, was chaired by Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the country’s foreign minister.

In earlier remarks, Bahrain’s representative Jamal Fares Alrowaei condemned “the Houthi escalation that violates the truce” and threatens regional and international security.

He said the escalation had also worsened Yemen’s humanitarian crisis by forcing civilians to flee their homes.

“It is high time for the Security Council to take a more decisive stance,” he stressed.

Saudi representative

Saudi Arabia’s representative Abdulaziz M. Alwasil warned that the Houthi escalation threatened Yemen, regional security, international trade and global supply chains.

He cited attacks on Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran that injured civilians, as well as renewed attacks on Sept 14 and continued targeting of commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

He said the Houthis and militias supporting them were pursuing a policy of “choking the straits”, holding the international community and global economy hostage.

Alwasil said protecting vital waterways was a collective responsibility requiring a firm Security Council response. “Saudi Arabia remains committed to de-escalation and peace while reserving its right to defend its territory and citizens,” Alwasil added.

China’s representative Sun Lei expressed concern over the rapid escalation and reaffirmed respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

Opposing attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure, he said protecting shipping in the Red Sea was a common international responsibility and the rights of merchant vessels must be respected.

“Securing freedom of navigation requires ending armed conflict and achieving lasting peace,” Sun said, urging all parties to exercise restraint and return to negotiations.

Hormuz concerns

Ambassador Asim said disruptions to commercial shipping in both Bab al Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz demonstrated that crises at sea could have consequences far beyond the affected regions.

“Disruption of commercial shipping and attacks on merchant vessels, both in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al Mandab, has underscored that crises at sea have grave implications for continents and countries,” he observed.

“The volatility at these maritime choke points has not only imperilled peace and stability but also skyrocketed energy prices and heightened fears of global food insecurity,” he added.

He said the Strait of Hormuz was a critical maritime trade route for the transit of one-third of globally traded crude oil and a significant share of the fertiliser trade.

“Pakistan is deeply concerned at disruptions in the Strait, including attacks on commercial shipping,” he said, calling for “an immediate de-escalation of tensions, security of ships and crew members, and restoration of normal passage through the Strait”.

Bahrain’s concept note warned that attacks and threats against merchant vessels, the laying of sea mines and interference with navigational rights could rapidly disrupt global energy flows, international trade, food supply chains and humanitarian operations.

Pakistan stresses diplomacy

Ambassador Asim linked Pakistan’s position on maritime security to its diplomatic efforts following the outbreak of hostilities between Iran and the United States.

“Guided by these foundational principles, Pakistan acted as a mediator between Iran and the United States, following the outbreak of hostilities between the two countries,” he said.

“With the support of our friends and partners, we spearheaded diplomatic efforts for de-escalation and broader regional stability, culminating in a ceasefire and the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.”

He said Pakistan would continue efforts “for a negotiated settlement of all outstanding issues for an early return to normalcy at sea and land”.

“In pursuit of this objective, Pakistan looks forward to working with all peace-loving nations, in region and beyond, for furtherance of maritime peace and security, and safety of commercial shipping and merchant vessels,” he added.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2026