Technology Houthis knock out underwater cables linking Europe to Asia - report

[Imranmt]

Content source

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-788888

The successful targeting of the four cables, which are believed to belong to the AAE-1, Seacom, EIG, and TGN systems, marks a serious disruption of communications between Europe and Asia.

Four underwater communications cables between Saudi Arabia and Djibouti have been struck out of commission in recent months, presumably as a result of attacks by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, according to an exclusive report in the Israeli news site Globes.

The successful targeting of the four cables, which are believed to belong to the AAE-1, Seacom, EIG, and TGN systems, marks a serious disruption of communications between Europe and Asia.

Most of the immediate harm will be absorbed by the Gulf states and India, Globes said.

The AAE-1 cable connects East Asia to Europe via Egypt, connecting China to the West through countries such as Pakistan and Qatar.

The Europe India Gateway (EIG) cable system connects southern Europe to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, the UAE, and India.

The Seacom cable connects Europe, Africa, and India, and is connected to South Africa.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

WHY?

 

[Warencom]

There are concerns that it could take up to eight weeks to repair the cables, which could disrupt internet service in the region.

 

[Imranmt]

Internet disruptions in GCC states: Did Al Houthi militants blow up Red Sea cables?

Dubai: Internet connectivity across most GCC states has experienced significant slowdown, reportedly due to sabotage activities targeting undersea fiber cables in the Red Sea.

Security sources have attributed these attacks to the Houthi militant group, which has been actively disrupting communication lines off the coast of Yemen, linking the Arabian Peninsula to Africa.

Sky News Arabia quoted sources as saying that the Houthis are responsible for the destruction of communication lines under the Red Sea.

This has led to a considerable interruption in the flow of data between Africa and Europe, affecting a vital cable system operated by the international telecommunications firm SECOM.


The company has confirmed a malfunction in its Red Sea infrastructure, particularly highlighting that a portion of its cable system ceased to operate due to the incident.

The damage involves four submarine communication cables, with estimates suggesting that repairs could extend up to two months.

Although the initial assessment indicated substantial but not critical damage, the incident is expected to disrupt communications significantly between Europe and Asia.


SECOM has acknowledged the disruption but has yet to specify the cause publicly.

Amid these developments, the Houthis have escalated its maritime aggression, launching explosive-laden missiles and drones at commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 19 in response to Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip.


The Houthis have also issued warnings to maritime authorities and insurers, declaring a ban on vessels associated with Israel, the United States, and Britain from navigating near the conflicted area.

Meanwhile, US Central Command said its forces destroyed three seaborne drones, an airborne drone and two cruise missiles in Yemen that were being prepared for attacks in the Red Sea.

The strikes on Monday marked the latest effort to avert further assaults on commercial shipping in the vital waterway by the Houthis, an Iran-backed militant group that controls much of the northwest of Yemen.


The drones and antiship missiles “presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the US Navy ships in the region,” Centcom said in a statement posted on the X social media platform.

Earlier Monday, a South African company said a subsea cable that it controls off the coast of Yemen had been damaged, although the cause has yet to be determined. The cable connects Europe and India.

The Houthis have made threats on social media to sabotage critical undersea cables, but there’s no evidence to suggest that they have been successful.

Internet disruptions in GCC states: Did Al Houthi militants blow up Red Sea cables?

Damage reportedly involves 4 submarine communication cables, repair could take 2 months

gulfnews.com