In brief
Experts identified that multiple submarine cables in the Red Sea, which are crucial for internet connectivity across various regions, were likely damaged by a commercial vessel's anchor. This incident has led to reduced internet access in at least ten nations, highlighting the vulnerabilities of undersea communication lines.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A recent incident involving undersea cables in the Red Sea has caused widespread disruptions in internet access in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, drawing attention to the vulnerabilities of these critical infrastructures. Experts have indicated that the cables affected were likely damaged by commercial shipping activities, emphasizing the ongoing risks faced by such essential offshore networks.
Fifteen submarine cables traverse the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the entryway of the Red Sea between East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Over the weekend, several submarine cables, including the South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4, the India-Middle East-Western Europe, and the FALCON GCX cables were identified as having been severed. As of Tuesday, the list of impacted cables expanded to include the Europe India Gateway cable, according to Doug Madory, the director of internet analysis at Kentik.
Initial assessments suggested that the damage may have occurred off the coast of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; however, no formal acknowledgment has been made by authorities in the kingdom or representatives from the companies managing the cables. This has resulted in disrupted internet service across several countries in the region.
Early independent analysis indicates that the probable cause of damage is commercial shipping activity in the region, stated John Wrottesley, operations manager of the International Cable Protection Committee. It's noted that cable damage from dragged anchors constitutes approximately 30% of annual incidents, leading to roughly 60 faults each year.
Madory further explained that the working assumption is that a commercial vessel unintentionally dropped its anchor and dragged it across the cables, resulting in severed connections. The shallow depths of cabling in the Red Sea render them particularly susceptible to such accidents.
Undersea cables represent a backbone of internet connectivity, alongside satellite links and terrestrial cables. Although Internet Service Providers (ISPs) usually have multiple access routes and can redirect traffic as needed, such rerouting can lead to slower internet speeds for users. There are indications that at least ten nations have been affected, including India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates.
The security of these cables has gained renewed attention amidst ongoing maritime tensions in the region, especially with reported attacks on ships linked to Yemen's Houthi rebels. Previous allegations suggested that the Houthis intended to target undersea cables, with some cables having been cut in the past. However, the rebels denied these claims of responsibility.
