The strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, a narrow choke point vital for global shipping, has been thrust into the spotlight for reasons beyond traditional maritime traffic. Recent reports indicate a new form of economic warfare that could have vast implications for the modern world’s connectivity: the targeted sabotage of crucial internet cables lying deep beneath the sea.
The EM group, known for their strategic hold on the Bab al-Mandab Strait, appears to have leveraged their position to disrupt a backbone of global communication. In a series of incidents shrouded in mystery, four major underwater cables – integral conduits connecting Europe to Asia – have suffered significant damage. The affected infrastructure includes assets owned by AE1, CCOM, European India Gateway, and TGN.
While the immediate repercussions have been mitigated by redundant cable networks, the potential for long-term disruption looms large. Repairing these deep-sea lifelines is not only a herculean task in terms of time and cost but also poses significant risks as the necessary ships would be operating within the striking range of Houthi weaponry.
The Iranian-aligned Houthi group has been implicated in these acts of sabotage, with a message on a linked Telegram channel showcasing a map of these vulnerable sea cables, seemingly endorsing the threat. However, the actual methods of sabotage remain a point of speculation. Given the depths at which these cables rest, it is improbable that the relatively rudimentary capabilities of divers or Houthi submersible drones could be the culprits.
Yemen’s legitimate, UN-recognised government in Aden has warned that the Houthis, who seized much of Yemen in 2014, are now threatening to sabotage the crucial undersea communication cables, including internet lines, which run under the Red Sea – connecting Asia to Europe. The warning came after a channel linked to the Houthis on the Telegram messaging app posted a map showing undersea cable routes in the Red Sea.
BBC
If confirmed, this sabotage could signal a shift in geopolitical tactics, where undersea cable infrastructure becomes a target in the complex game of international power. The implications for the global economy are profound, highlighting the fragility of the infrastructure that underpins not only the internet but also the very fabric of internatio
As the world grapples with this new vulnerability, the incident acts as a stark reminder of our reliance on unseen and often unprotected aspects of global connectivity. The international community must now confront the reality that the cyber realm has expanded into the ocean depths, presenting a new frontier for both conflict and cooperation.
The situation remains dynamic, and as more information surfaces, the full impact of these events on global geopolitics and the economy will become clearer. For now, the world watches and waits, reminded once again of the delicate threads that hold together our interconnected society.
