Did the Houthis disrupt the internet in the Middle East? Submarine cables cut in the Red Sea
Undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea have caused internet disruptions across Asia and the Middle East amid concerns of Houthi involvement.
Communication experts reported this morning on disruptions to internet access across regions of Asia and the Middle East, following the cutting of submarine cables in the Red Sea.
It is not yet clear what caused the damage, but there have been recent concerns that Yemen’s Houthi rebels might intend to target these cables as part of their effort to pressure the world to end the war against Hamas in Gaza.
The Houthis have previously denied that they attacked the cables.
Submarine cables are central to the internet’s infrastructure alongside satellite connections and terrestrial cables.
Internet service providers typically have multiple access points and can reroute traffic when one fails, but users may still experience slower browsing in such cases.
This morning, Microsoft reported possible disruptions in the Middle East due to cuts in undersea fibre‑optic cables in the Red Sea.
Monitoring service NetBlocks stated that "a series of subsea cable outages in the Red Sea has disrupted internet connectivity in various countries," including India and Pakistan.
In Pakistan, a major telecom provider reported disruptions on Saturday, while users in the United Arab Emirates experienced slower connectivity on state‑owned networks.
Submarine cables may be severed accidentally by ship anchors, or they may be the target of deliberate disruption.
Repairs can take weeks, as the repair vessel and team must be positioned directly above the damaged section.
In early 2024, Yemen’s internationally recognised government—opposed to the Houthis—claimed that the Houthis planned to attack submarine cables in the Red Sea.
Several such cables were cut subsequently, though the Houthis denied responsibility.
Until now, the Houthi campaign in the Red Sea had mainly targeted vessels.
Between November 2023 and December 2024, they launched over one hundred missile and drone attacks on ships, sinking four vessels and killing at least eight sailors.
It is not yet clear what caused the damage, but there have been recent concerns that Yemen’s Houthi rebels might intend to target these cables as part of their effort to pressure the world to end the war against Hamas in Gaza.
The Houthis have previously denied that they attacked the cables.
Submarine cables are central to the internet’s infrastructure alongside satellite connections and terrestrial cables.
Internet service providers typically have multiple access points and can reroute traffic when one fails, but users may still experience slower browsing in such cases.
This morning, Microsoft reported possible disruptions in the Middle East due to cuts in undersea fibre‑optic cables in the Red Sea.
Monitoring service NetBlocks stated that "a series of subsea cable outages in the Red Sea has disrupted internet connectivity in various countries," including India and Pakistan.
In Pakistan, a major telecom provider reported disruptions on Saturday, while users in the United Arab Emirates experienced slower connectivity on state‑owned networks.
Submarine cables may be severed accidentally by ship anchors, or they may be the target of deliberate disruption.
Repairs can take weeks, as the repair vessel and team must be positioned directly above the damaged section.
In early 2024, Yemen’s internationally recognised government—opposed to the Houthis—claimed that the Houthis planned to attack submarine cables in the Red Sea.
Several such cables were cut subsequently, though the Houthis denied responsibility.
Until now, the Houthi campaign in the Red Sea had mainly targeted vessels.
Between November 2023 and December 2024, they launched over one hundred missile and drone attacks on ships, sinking four vessels and killing at least eight sailors.
