The network of submarine cables for telecommunications which account for 17% of global Internet traffic that run under the Red Sea could possibly be the new target of the Houthis, a militant group that continues to launch attacks on ships off the Yemen coast. A map that was published on a Telegram channel linked to a pro-Iranian group revealed a cryptic message that hinted at the strategic positioning of Yemen in relation to these internet lines that connect entire continents, not just countries.
“Time to adapt maritime tactics, then cables could be soft targets”
Emily Milliken, an expert from the Gulf International Forum, a Washington-based think tank, pointed out that the reason these cables have remained safe is not due to the Houthis’ lack of motivation but rather their relative technological underdevelopment. She explains that the focus of the Houthis has been mainly on ground warfare against Yemen’s internationally recognized government and its Saudi and Emirati allies. Consequently, they have not developed a highly trained navy or marine contingent. Despite their ability to attack ships with missiles or small boats, they lack the underwater means to reach the cables.
Milliken further cautions that given enough time and opportunity, the Houthis might be able to modify their maritime tactics to target crucial communications infrastructure. She believes that while the Houthis have long posed a threat to international maritime traffic, their recent series of increasingly bold attacks indicate their intention to play a more significant role in the region. A network of underwater communications cables could be the ideal soft target for their next attack, a prospect that should concern all nations dependent on this critical infrastructure.
