Global Internet Disruption Due to Red Sea Cable Damage

A report from HGC Global Communications, a Hong Kong telecom firm, indicates underwater cable damage in the Red Sea, attributed to the Houthi group's ongoing attacks, is severely impacting international internet connectivity.

The disruption is affecting traffic between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, with providers rerouting around 25% of data to address the issue.

The damaged cables, owned by four substantial telecom networks, have led to significant communications outages in the Middle East. HGC is actively rerouting data and offering support to impacted enterprises, though the exact cause of the cable damage remains unspecified.

Recent Yemeni government warnings cited potential Houthi threats to these vital cables, following their history of assaults on maritime vessels in the region. An Israeli media outlet implicated the Houthis in the recent cable damage, a claim which Houthi leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi denies, asserting no intent to harm regional internet access.

Critical networks impacted include the Europe India Gateway and the Asia-Africa-Europe cable system. While the Houthis have extended their targets beyond Israeli-linked ships to include those associated with the UK and the US, retaliatory strikes by US and UK forces, supported internationally, have targeted Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.