Politics

Three communication cables cut under Red Sea, Houthi rebels suspected

Houthi rebels. Photo: Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images
Houthi rebels. Photo: Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images
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Three cables running under the Red Sea have been cut, the Hong Kong-based HGC Glocal Communications company announced on Monday. Undersea cables in the area carry 90% of data exchange between Europe and Asia.

Yemen’s Houthi separatists deny culpability, Associated Press reported, and in turn blame Western countries conducting military operations in the region. But what speaks against the rebel group is that several weeks prior to the incident that occurred on February 24, the internationally recognized Yemeni government warned they expect the Houthis to target undersea communication cables.

Specialists from HGC Global Communications reported damage to Asia-Africa-Europe 1, Europe India Gateway, Seacom, and TGN-Gulf cables. Initial tests carried out by specialists from the U.S.-based Seacom indicate the cables had been cut in an area within Yemen’s territorial waters.

It is not clear, however, whether the Houthis have access to the technology necessary to cut the cables. They could have also been damaged accidentally by a vessel’s anchor, including an anchor dropped by a ship brought to a halt by Houthi attacks. This can only be determined by an inspection conducted by specialists on the spot.

There are currently 14 cables running under the Red Sea, with plans for six more to be laid.
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