FILE PHOTO – In this photo released Nov. 20, 2023, a Houthi military helicopter flies over the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea. (Photo: Houthi military media/material via Reuters)
Research institute based in the United States, gulf international forumrecently warned that Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi militia could attack undersea communication cables in the Red Sea. According to their report, if the Houthis succeed, they could seriously disrupt global internet communications related to financial data, thereby threatening the global economy.
The Washington-based institute, in its report “The Next Victim of the Red Sea Attack: Undersea Cables,” notes that these critical cables are located close to Yemen and are therefore potentially vulnerable to Houthi attacks. He pointed out that it was within reach.
Following the brutal Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, the Iranian-backed Houthis became active. attack international shipping A ship was anchored in the Red Sea in the name of showing support for the Gaz terrorist organization Hamas.
The Houthis have so far not announced any intention to attack vital communications cables. However, in a recent post on a Houthi-affiliated Telegram channel, the terrorist militia pointed to the cable’s importance and proximity to Yemen.
“There is a map of international cables connecting all parts of the world by sea.Yemen appears to be in a strategic location as there are internet links passing nearby that connect not only countries but entire continents.” said.
Due to the Red Sea’s strategic location adjacent to Europe, Asia and Africa, submarine cables form a critical component of the world’s digital communications infrastructure. It is reported that a whopping 95% of international communications data passes through these cables. This includes approximately $10 trillion worth of daily transactions.
The US report warned that Persian Gulf countries in particular are vulnerable if critical data is disrupted. The Gulf International Forum further assessed that “the relative technological underdevelopment of the Houthis, rather than their lack of motivation, has kept the cables safe.”
However, with growing support from senior Iranian and Hezbollah leaders, the Houthis’ offensive capabilities continue to expand, leading to increasingly bold attacks by the Houthis against ocean-going vessels and clashes with US-led forces in the region. has already been proven by.
Recently anonymous Iranian sources Said Reuters has reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah operatives are supporting the Houthis on the ground in Yemen.
“The Revolutionary Guards are supporting the Houthis’ military training (with advanced weapons),” the official confirmed. “A group of Houthi fighters were in Iran last month and trained at Revolutionary Guards bases in central Iran to familiarize themselves with the use of new technology and missiles,” the source said. Added.
The US report further assessed that “the Houthis maintain the ability to attack surface vessels with missiles and fast attack craft, but lack the submersibles needed to reach the cables.”
Meanwhile, the Houthis reportedly have submarine capabilities for deploying mines, which could be the first step toward developing offensive means to attack and jam the world’s communications cables. .
While the Houthis have received considerable attention in international headlines, Middle Eastern sources say: I reconfirmed The important role played by the Iranian regime, along with the Lebanese terrorist militia Hezbollah.
“Political decisions are taken in Tehran, controlled by Hezbollah and based in Yemen’s Houthis,” the source said.
