Undersea cables cut in Red Sea, interrupting internet in the region
Internet Disruptions in Asia and the Middle East Due to Undersea Cable Cuts in the Red Sea
Internet connectivity in parts of Asia and the Middle East has been disrupted due to undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea, experts reported on Sunday. The cause of the incident is not yet clear.
There have been concerns that the cables were targeted as part of a Red Sea campaign by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The rebels claim that this is a way to pressure Israel to end its conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. However, the Houthis have denied any involvement in previous cable attacks.
Impact of Undersea Cable Cuts
Undersea cables are crucial for the internet infrastructure, along with satellite connections and land-based cables. Internet service providers usually have multiple access points and can reroute traffic in case of a failure, although it may result in slower access for users.
Multiple Cables Cut Off Saudi Arabia
Microsoft reported that the Mideast region might experience increased latency due to the undersea fiber cuts in the Red Sea. The company did not provide further details but assured that internet traffic not passing through the Middle East remains unaffected.
NetBlocks, a monitoring organization for internet access, attributed the connectivity issues to cable outages affecting multiple countries, including India and Pakistan. The failures were linked to the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In Kuwait, disruptions were also reported due to a cut in the FALCON GCX cable passing through the Red Sea. The impact was felt in the small oil-rich nation, but no official comments were provided by GCX.
Challenges and Suspicions
Repairing undersea cables can be a time-consuming process as ships and crews need to locate the damaged area to carry out repairs. While accidental cuts may occur due to ship anchors, deliberate attacks on these cables cannot be ruled out.
The recent cable cuts coincide with the ongoing conflict between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Israel over the Gaza Strip. The rebels have previously been accused of planning attacks on undersea cables in the Red Sea, though they have denied responsibility.
Outlook
As internet disruptions persist in the region, the implications for ongoing conflicts and diplomatic negotiations remain uncertain. The situation underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in times of geopolitical tensions.
Stay tuned for further updates on the developments surrounding the undersea cable cuts and their broader impact on the affected regions.
