ANKARA

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by phone with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday, discussing regional developments, reiterating his condemnation of Houthi attacks on Saudi ships and affirming his country's full solidarity with the Kingdom.

This call comes within the framework of the deep historical relations between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which include strategic cooperation in defense and economic fields.

Sharif said in a post on the American platform "X" that he had a phone call with the Saudi Crown Prince to discuss regional developments.

During the call, Sharif condemned in the strongest terms the attacks launched by the Iran-backed Houthi group on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.

He affirmed in his tweet that these acts are "unacceptable" and constitute a violation of international law and a threat to regional peace and security, reiterating that Pakistan stands in full solidarity with Saudi Arabia.

He noted that he agreed with the Saudi Crown Prince to continue close cooperation to maintain peace, security and stability in the region, including the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, and to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of legitimate maritime trade.

Earlier on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that a Saudi-owned ship was targeted while sailing in the Red Sea, causing a fire at its front without any injuries.

On Wednesday evening, the Yemeni Houthi group spoke of targeting two Saudi oil ships in the Red Sea with ballistic missiles and drones, causing fires on them.

The group had announced on Monday imposing a "maritime navigation ban" on Saudi Arabia, in response to what it said was a blockade imposed by Riyadh on areas under Houthi control in neighboring Yemen.

Despite intermittent clashes, Yemen has witnessed since April 2022 a lull in a war that began more than 11 years ago between government forces and the Houthi group, which has controlled provinces and cities including Sanaa since September 21, 2014.

In recent days, escalation has increased in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia supports its legitimate government by leading the Coalition to Support Legitimacy, while Iran is accused of supporting the Houthi group.

This Houthi escalation comes as Yemen experiences a fragile truce since April 2022, but tensions are rising again. Concerns are growing about the impact of the attacks on navigation in the Red Sea, a vital corridor for international trade. Saudi Arabia supports the legitimate Yemeni government against the Iran-backed Houthis and leads a military coalition to support it. The international community is closely monitoring these developments amid calls for de-escalation.