Undersea cables in the Red Sea have been damaged, disrupting internet access across parts of Asia and the Middle East, experts confirmed on September 7. The cause of the incident has not yet been determined.
The disruption comes amid heightened concern that Yemen’s Houthi rebels could target undersea cables as part of their campaign to pressure Israel over the war in Gaza. While the group has previously threatened such action, it has also denied responsibility for earlier damage to the lines.
Undersea data cables have played a significant role in the history of telecommunications. Yet, they continue to be one of the most vulnerable infrastructural components of global trade. As increasing demands for data exchange and the global reliance on digital infrastructure continue to expand, understanding these cables as critical assets also provides interesting insight into geopolitical tensions and international dynamics.
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