Draft:Pakistani naval deployment in the red sea

Yemeni Iran-backed Houthi militia claimed responsibility for a missile attack on 27 December 2023 on a Pakistan-bound container ship in the Red Sea, for an attempt to attack Israel with drones. The MSC Mediterranean Shipping said there were no injuries to its crew from the attack on its ship, the United VIII, en route from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan. It said the ship had informed a nearby US-led coalition’s warship that it had come under attack and had taken evasive maneuvers. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a televised address the group had targeted the vessel, which he identified as the MSC United, after the crew failed to respond to warnings. In response,Pakistan stepped up naval and aerial surveillance of the Arabian sea in a bid to protect traffic in international shipping lanes, the Pakistan Navy said on 7 January 2024. Pakistan Navy said it had deployed its ships in wake of the recent maritime security incidents in the Red Sea. In a statement issued by the Pakistan Navy, it was said that "Pakistan Navy is “ensuring [a] permanent presence in the Arabian Sea to keep our and international sea lines of communications under intense surveillance.Two to three ships are always patrolling the areas [where] Pakistan-bound and international merchant ships are plying. In addition, extensive air surveillance is also being undertaken to ensure the safety of international sea lines of communications passing through our maritime area." “Pakistan’s decision to deploy warships in the Arabian Sea to maintain its maritime security in international waters ” "

The spokesperson said the Pakistan Navy’s stance was the same as the government that it supported the Palestinians in war-ravaged Gaza.

He said the ships were continuously patrolling the Arabian Sea to ensure the safety of Pakistan’s trade routes. He said continuous aerial surveillance of commercial passages was also being carried out to ensure the safety of Pakistan and international merchant ships.