Undersea Cables in Red Sea Disrupted, Impacting Global Internet Connections

Undersea cables in the Red Sea are currently ****damaged, which is causing problems for global telecommunications networks. This has led internet providers to reroute up to 25% of traffic between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Four major telecoms networks have reported that their cables have been cut in the Red Sea. This has resulted in significant disruptions to communication networks in the Middle East, as stated by Hong Kong telecoms company HGC Global Communications.

HGC mentioned in a statement on Monday that around 25% of the traffic traveling between Asia and Europe, as well as the Middle East, has been affected.

In response, the company is rerouting traffic to lessen the impact on customers and is also providing support to businesses that have been impacted.

HGC did not provide details on how the cables were ****damaged or who caused the damage.

This incident occurred shortly after the Yemeni government issued a warning about a potential attack on the cables by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. These rebels have previously caused disruptions to global supply chains by targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

Reports last week from Israeli news outlet Globes suggested that the damage to the cables was caused by the Houthis. However, Yemeni rebel leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi denied these allegations, stating, “We have no intention of targeting sea cables providing internet to countries in the region.”

Among the affected networks is the Europe India Gateway, which spans 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles) between Europe, the Middle East, and India. Additionally, the Asia-Africa-Europe cable system, a 25,000-kilometer network connecting South East Asia to Europe via Egypt, has also been ****damaged.

Wayne Chang in Taipei, Celine Alkhaldi in Abu Dhabi and Alex Stambaugh in Hong Kong contributed reporting.

Editor's P/S:

The disruption of undersea cables in the Red Sea highlights the vulnerability of global telecommunications networks to physical damage. This incident underscores the importance of safeguarding critical infrastructure and protecting communication channels that are essential for economic and social well-being. The rerouting of traffic to mitigate the impact on users demonstrates the resilience of internet providers, but it also raises concerns about the potential for further disruptions and the need for robust backup systems.

It is concerning that the damage to the cables may be linked to geopolitical tensions in the region. The potential involvement of the Houthi rebels, as suggested by reports, raises questions about the security of sea lanes and the stability of global supply chains. The denial of involvement by the rebel leader is a welcome development, but it underscores the need for transparency and accountability in investigating such incidents to prevent further escalation.