Houthis Disrupt Undersea Internet Cables Linking Europe and Asia
In a recent attack by the Houthis affiliated with the Ansar Allah movement in the Red Sea, four vital undersea communication cables linking Europe and Asia have been damaged, causing significant disruptions to internet connectivity.
The damaged cables include the AAE-1, Seacom, EIG, and TGN cables, which are crucial for facilitating internet communications between Europe and Asia. While the impact of the damage has been felt across the region, the Gulf countries and India have borne the brunt of the losses.
Experts have estimated that repairing the damage could take up to eight weeks, underscoring the severity of the situation. However, many experts have downplayed the criticality of the damage, noting that alternative cable routes connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe remain unaffected.
This recent incident comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the region. In January, the United States and Great Britain launched airstrikes against the Houthi rebel group in Yemen, who, backed by Iran, have increasingly targeted commercial ships in the Red Sea. The attacks by the Houthis are purportedly in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
In response to the growing security concerns in the Red Sea, the European Union initiated Operation Aspides Red Sea on February 19, aimed at safeguarding ships navigating the region.
