Three Pakistani nationals were among those killed when Iranian-backed Houthis attacked a ship off Yemen, the first known deaths from the rebels’ attacks on shipping in the that has raised fears of war expanding in the region.
Here鈥檚 a look at the latest developments in the and the wider Middle East. Full coverage can be found .
Three Pakistanis among the dead in Houthi attack on ship
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday condemned the attack by Houthi rebels on the ship in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, saying three Pakistanis had been killed in the attack and another wounded. A total of six people were killed in the attack on Tuesday.
鈥淪uch attacks 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,鈥� Dar said in a post on X.
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut down by Iran, there has been a renewed focus on the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb strait at Yemen鈥檚 southern tip, which is an alternate route for Saudi Arabia to ship its oil.
The attack came as part of a growing number of Houthi strikes against government forces in Yemen and oil facilities in neighboring Saudi Arabia, which supports the Yemeni government, and the kingdom鈥檚 shipping in the Red Sea.
Many of the attacks have been focused on the government-held port city of Mokha on the Red Sea. Overall, dozens of government troops and civilians have been killed in attacks since last week, according to Yemen’s military.
Fears are growing that the renewed violence could reignite Yemen鈥檚 civil war following a 2022 truce, and open a new front in the Middle East war.
Turkey condemns Colombia’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights
Turkey condemned the decision by Colombia’s , calling it a move to 鈥渓egitimize Israel鈥檚 occupation鈥� of the territory.
Colombia, shortly after the swearing-in of conservative as president on Friday, became just the second country to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which Israel captured during the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed in 1981.
The United States, during the first term of President Donald Trump, was the first, reversing more than a half-century of U.S. policy in the Middle East. De la Espriella, a Colombian-American citizen, received Trump鈥檚 backing during his election campaign.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Golan Heights are an “integral part of Syria鈥� and said Colombia鈥檚 move constitutes 鈥渁 grave violation of international law.鈥�
The United Nations recognizes the territory as part of Syria.
The Turkish statement called on the international community to work toward ending Israel鈥檚 occupation of the Golan Heights and other parts of southern Syria.
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