Red Sea attack: Disrupting critical internet cables and economic impact

A major incident has occurred in the Red Sea, which has long served as a key transit route for global trade and communications, shaking the foundations of the global economy. Four fiber optic cables (Seacom, TGN, AAE-1, EIG) carrying huge volumes of Internet traffic between Africa, Asia and the Middle East were attacked and severely damaged, causing widespread problems in the communications network.

The cables, which previously carried about a quarter of all traffic in the region, were targeted in an attack that cut off many countries and companies from critical network resources. Communications providers were forced to reroute traffic via alternative routes through mainland China and the US, resulting in significant delays and loss of efficiency.

While initial suspicions fell on the Yemeni Houthis, who have denied involvement in the incident, international organizations and states have expressed serious concerns about the security of undersea cables in the region. In the past, such attacks have been used as a means of waging war and destabilizing adversaries, underscoring the critical importance of ensuring the safety and security of maritime transit routes.

The incident also raises important questions about the security and vulnerability of the global economy to modern threats. In an era of digital development, where an increasing number of aspects of life and business depend on networked technologies, such attacks can have a devastating impact on financial markets, commerce and communications.

The incident in the Red Sea also highlights the need for closer cooperation between States and international organizations in the area of security and critical infrastructure protection. Developing coherent strategies to prevent and respond to such threats has become an increasingly urgent task for the global community.

Nevertheless, despite the seriousness of this incident, international experts express hope for the rapid restoration of damaged cables and improved security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future and minimize their impact on the global economy.