Pakistan says 3 citizens killed in Houthi attack on ship, and other developments in the Mideast

The border between Syria and the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights town of Majdal Shams is seen Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Updated 12:03 PM MESZ, August 12, 2026 Leer en español Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit 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 latest bout of fighting that has raised fears of war expanding in the region. Here’s a look at the latest developments in the Iran war and the wider Middle East. Full coverage can be found here. 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. “Such 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,” 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’s 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’s 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’s civil war following a 2022 truce, and open a new front in the Middle East war. Iranian-backed Houthis kill 6 in attack on vessel, and other developments in the Mideast 3 MIN READ Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia sign a mutual defense deal, and other Middle East news 4 MIN READ 1764 U.S. and Pakistan condemn Houthi Red Sea threats to shipping and Saudi Arabia 4 MIN READ 1764 Turkey condemns Colombia’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights Turkey condemned the decision by Colombia’s new government, calling it a move to “legitimize Israel’s occupation” of the territory. Colombia, shortly after the swearing-in of conservative Abelardo de la Espriella 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’s backing during his election campaign. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the Golan Heights are an “integral part of Syria” and said Colombia’s move constitutes “a grave violation of international law.” The United Nations recognizes the territory as part of Syria. The Turkish statement called on the international community to work toward ending Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights and other parts of southern Syria.