Possible attacks on cables in Atlantic threaten to disrupt global Internet - expert

Roman Khimich, a telecommunications market expert, discusses the possible consequences of attacks on transatlantic cables and their impact on data exchange between the continents

He said this on Espreso TV.

"Despite the fact that two and a half months have passed, the US-led coalition and the two aircraft carrier strike groups have not yet been able to deal with the Houthis. So, unfortunately, we can expect that they will continue to cut these cables... everything they can reach, they will destroy," the expert explains.

These cables, including the transatlantic ones, run across the Atlantic.

"Even if all the cables in the Red Sea are destroyed, it will not be a disaster for us as European users, because, firstly, the remaining cables will work, which are much larger. And secondly, in our case, the lion's share of traffic is with Europe and the United States. Another thing is that if this continues and cables in the Atlantic beyond the Red Sea are attacked, this will be a real problem that could lead to the disintegration of the global Internet, the network into several separate segments, between which it will be too difficult to exchange," summarized Khimich.

What preceded it

On March 5, media reported that three cables in the Red Sea that provide global Internet and telecommunications were cut, allegedly by the Houthis.

The damage affects 25% of the traffic that passes through the Red Sea on lines that carry data to Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

The Houthis deny sabotaging the lines on the route, which is considered key to data transmission from Asia to Europe. The terrorists, in turn, without providing evidence, blamed the disruption on UK and US military operations.

Last month, Yemen's internationally recognized government said that the Houthis were planning to attack the cables.

The Italian parliament on Tuesday, March 5, approved the country's participation in the EU naval mission to protect cargo ships in the Red Sea from attacks by Yemeni Houthis.