ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Pakistan on Wednesday expressed deep concern over “attempts to drag” Saudi Arabia into the Middle East conflict, condemning threats from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels against Riyadh and commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

On Monday, Houthis announced their imposition of a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, following tensions flaring on July 13 when the international airport in Houthi-controlled Sanaa was bombed to prevent an Iranian plane from landing.

The rebel group immediately pointed the finger at Saudi Arabia and retaliated in kind with strikes on its northern neighbor's Abha International Airport.

“Such actions threaten regional security, undermine freedom of navigation, challenge the rules-based maritime order and jeopardise uninterrupted flow of global commerce,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said.

Islamabad described the Houthi blockade on the Red Sea as “unacceptable” and violating international norms while expressing its “unwavering support” for the security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan enjoy close ties. In September, the two countries signed a mutual defense pact that significantly strengthened their decades-old security partnership, committing to treat any act of aggression against one as an attack on both under the principle of collective security.

Reuters reported in May that over 8,000 Pakistani troops are currently deployed in the Kingdom, as well as fighter jets and air defense systems.

“Pakistan reserves its right to take all necessary measures, including lawful use of force, in the exercise of self-defence to protect its maritime assets and national interests,” the statement said.

After Washington's memorandum of understanding with Iran collapsed and led to renewed hostilities, as well as shipping chaos in the Strait of Hormuz, the prospect of the Houthis restricting transit in Bab el-Mandeb to assist their Iranian allies has been a source of concern for international powers.

With their center of power in western Yemen, the Houthis are strategically placed to exert a degree of control over the waterway, which connects the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and has proved a crucial oil export route for Riyadh amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran during its conflict with the US and Israel.