Red Sea Cable Damage Disrupts Internet Traffic Across Continents

A break in submarine cables has disrupted communications networks, affecting a quarter of traffic between Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Last month, Hong Kong-based internet provider HGC Global reported an exceptionally rare incident involving multiple cables in the Red Sea. This situation has had a significant impact on communications networks in the Middle East, leading to the disruption of approximately 25% of traffic across the Red Sea.

The United States believes that the anchor of the Rubymar, which sank in the Red Sea after being targeted in mid-February near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait by Houthi rebels, severed submarine cables used for communications and the international Internet network, according to a Pentagon official.

Inventory of damage

Four major telecommunications networks, including Hong Kong’s HGC Global Communications, reported that cables had been cut. This had a huge impact on communications in the Middle East. HGC estimates that around 25% of traffic between Asia and Europe, as well as the Middle East, has been affected.

To mitigate disruptions, HGC is rerouting traffic and providing support to affected businesses. However, the company did not reveal the cause of the cable damage or identify those responsible. Seacom, a South Africa-based company that owns one of the affected cable systems, said repairs would not begin for at least a month.

Cables financed by GAFAM

These undersea cables, largely financed by internet giants such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta, form the backbone of the Internet. Damage to these underwater networks can lead to widespread internet outages, reminiscent of the aftermath of the 2006 Taiwan earthquake.

The recent damage in the Red Sea follows warnings from the official Yemeni government about the risk of Houthi rebels targeting the cables. These Iran-backed militants have already disrupted global supply chains by attacking commercial vessels in this crucial waterway.

Continuity of services ensured

As Seacom and other stakeholders work to repair the damaged cables, the global community awaits a resolution to this critical issue that impacts the continuous flow of information across continents.

The implications of this event highlight the vulnerability of our interconnected global communications infrastructure. It is critical to note that most large telecommunications companies rely on multiple undersea cable systems, allowing them to reroute traffic during outages to maintain uninterrupted service for users in affected regions.

Source: Cy Security news