Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels have begun their activities dangerous to merchant ships in the Red Sea after Israel’s retaliatory attack on the Gaza Strip in October 2023, sparking regional anxiety.
To date, the group has disrupted 25 per cent of internet traffic due to damage to about 15 undersea cables. One of Hong Kong’s largest Internet service providers, HGC Global Communications, claims “significant disruption” to web traffic.
Moreover, the cable damage has also caused connectivity problems between Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Among the affected networks is Asia-Africa-Europe 1 (AAE-1), a cable system stretching over 25,000 kilometres.
The Euro-India Gateway (EIG), which connects Europe, the Middle East and India, was also damaged.
Due to continued missile launches by the Houthis, the cost of shipping for some vessel owners has increased by six times compared to the price prior to the conflict.
On Monday, the MSC Sky II operated by MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. was about 90 miles southeast of the Yemeni city of Aden when it was targeted with two Houthi missiles, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The Houthis could presumably have used Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles Ghadir for the strike.
