Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday that an Israeli drone attacked a petroleum gas (LPG) tanker at Yemen’s Ras al-Esa port on September 17. This port is under the control of Houthi rebels.
Crew Safety and Diplomatic Efforts
Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, confirmed the incident and the crew’s safe release via the social media platform X. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that all 24 Pakistani nationals are completely safe and are proceeding out of Yemeni waters. As soon as information was received, Pakistani embassies initiated contact with Yemeni authorities to ensure the crew’s safety and expedite the vessel’s re-dispatch. The embassies also maintained constant contact with the crew’s families.
Minister Naqvi appreciated the officials of Pakistani security agencies, the Home Ministry Secretary, the Pakistani Ambassador to Oman and his team, and colleagues in Saudi Arabia for their “tireless efforts day and night” that secured the safe release of the citizens “when we were surrounded by despair.”
Regional Conflict Context
This incident occurred amidst the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. The area of Yemen has been a focal point of strikes and counter-strikes as Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, repeatedly launch missile and drone attacks on Israel and international shipping in the Red Sea in a show of support for the Palestinians.
Recent Attacks on Houthi Targets
- September 10: Israel previously attacked Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, reportedly targeting the Houthi Ministry of Defence and a secret command and control headquarters located between two mountains.
- August 28: The Israeli Army (IDF) carried out attacks in Sanaa targeting Houthi military bases and the presidential palace.
- The attacks have targeted top leadership, with Houthi fighters’ Prime Minister, Ahmed al-Rahawi, and possibly the Defence Minister and Chief of Staff, being targeted in previous Israeli airstrikes.
The Houthis have conducted over 250 attacks on Israel from October 2023 to May 2025 using ballistic missiles and drones, most of which have been intercepted by Israel. They have also carried out over 100 attacks on vessels in the sea, significantly impacting global trade.
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Source: Bhaskar
