Four Undersea Cables Damaged in the Red Sea, Disrupting Global Internet Connections

According to the Israeli newspaper Globes, Houthi militants from Yemen’s radical Ansar Allah movement have damaged up to four undersea communication cables in the Red Sea. These cables are crucial links connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. The damage threatens to cause significant disruptions in internet communications between Europe and Asia.

Which Cables Were Affected?

The report lists the following affected cables:

• AAE-1: Connects East Asia with Europe via Egypt.
• Seacom: Links Europe, Africa, India, and South Africa.
• EIG: Connects Southern Europe with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, the UAE, and India.
• TGN: Connects the United States and the United Kingdom, laid along the seabed between Saudi Arabia and Djibouti.

Repair Timeline and Challenges

Journalists report that repairing the cables will take at least two months. The affected companies will now have to find contractors willing to carry out the restoration work, likely offering high premiums due to the risks associated with operating in this unstable region.

Impact on Internet Communications

Globes states that the cable damage has led to serious disruptions in internet communications between Europe and Asia, with Gulf countries and India being the most affected. However, the overall impact is considered non-critical, as other cables in the region also connect Asia, Africa, and Europe, helping to mitigate the damage.