Four separate underwater data cables were damaged in the Red Sea, affecting internet connections around the world. The cuts affected four telecommunications companies and forced the rerouting of about 25% of internet traffic in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
There have been warnings in recent weeks that Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels could target undersea cables. The Houthis have been attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and recently renewed their commitment to target US and British warships. The armed group denied involvement in cutting the cable.