Three Pakistani nationals were killed when Iranian-backed Houthis attacked a ship in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, marking the first known fatalities from the rebels' attacks on shipping in the latest escalation of regional conflict. A total of six people died in the Tuesday attack, with one other Pakistani national wounded, according to Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Dar condemned the assault, stating on X that such actions "endanger innocent lives, constitute a violation of international law, and pose a serious threat to freedom of navigation, maritime security, and the safety of commercial shipping in the Red Sea." The Bab el-Mandeb strait, at the southern tip of Yemen, is a critical alternative route for oil shipments, especially for Saudi Arabia, in light of Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz and a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.
The attack is part of a broader pattern of Houthi strikes against Yemeni government forces, oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, and the kingdom's shipping in the Red Sea. Dozens of government troops and civilians have been killed in Houthi attacks since the previous week, according to Yemen's military. This renewed violence has raised concerns about reigniting Yemen's civil war, which had a truce in 2022, and potentially opening a new front in the wider Middle East conflict.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister also met with the Iranian Ambassador in Islamabad on Wednesday, as Pakistan seeks to facilitate peace negotiations between Iran and the U.S. These discussions follow a visit by Pakistan's Interior Minister to Tehran. A prior interim deal to end fighting was set to expire, with the ceasefire having collapsed following recent U.S. and Iran strikes. While talks have stalled over the Strait of Hormuz, with Washington demanding its reopening and Tehran setting conditions for ending the U.S. blockade of its ports, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry indicated that the June deal remains valid and could be extended.
In a separate development, Colombia's new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. This decision makes Colombia the second country to acknowledge Israel's claim to the territory, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed in 1981. The United States, under President Donald Trump, was the first nation to reverse decades of U.S. policy by recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. De la Espriella, a Colombian-American citizen, received support from Trump during his election campaign.
Turkey has condemned Colombia's decision, with its Foreign Ministry stating that the Golan Heights are an "integral part of Syria" and that Colombia's move represents a "grave violation of international law." The United Nations also recognizes the territory as part of Syria. Turkey has called on the international community to work towards ending Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights and other parts of southern Syria.
Meanwhile, in southern Lebanon, Israeli forces reportedly blew up buildings, including a municipal building and a children's nursery, in the village of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported the destruction, which the village's municipal council termed a "heinous crime." There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Zawtar al-Sharqiyah is located near a "pilot zone" from which Israel is slated to withdraw and hand over control to the Lebanese army in exchange for the disarmament of Hezbollah. Lebanese officials have objected to ongoing demolitions amid negotiations to expand these zones, following an escalation that began on March 2 with Hezbollah rocket fire across the border.