In a concerning development, three underwater cables in the Red Sea that provide crucial internet and telecommunications services have been cut, reportedly by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The incident has raised fears of escalating disruptions in global shipping and further exacerbating the ongoing crisis in the region.

The cables that have been affected include Asia-Africa-Europe 1, the Europe India Gateway, Seacom, and TGN-Gulf. Hong Kong-based HGC Global Communications has confirmed that these cuts are impacting about 25% of the traffic flowing through the Red Sea. These cables play a vital role in facilitating data transfer between Asia and Europe, making their sabotage a significant concern.

While the exact cause of the cable cuts remains unclear, there have been concerns about the Houthi rebels targeting the cables as part of their campaign to pressure Israel to end its conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. However, the rebels have denied any involvement in the attacks.

The impact of these cable cuts is not just limited to internet and telecommunications services but also affects global shipping routes. The Red Sea serves as a crucial pathway for cargo and energy shipments from Asia and the Middle East to Europe. With disruptions already witnessed in the region, the sabotage of telecommunication lines could further escalate the monthslong crisis.

HGC Global Communications has already started rerouting traffic to mitigate the impact of the cable cuts. However, there are concerns that this incident will have far-reaching consequences for businesses and individuals relying on seamless connectivity.

It is important to note that the Seacom-TGN-Gulf line, mentioned as two separate cables by HGC Global Communications, is actually a single cable at the location of the cut, according to subsea cable expert Tim Stronge.

Seacom, one of the companies involved in providing data to Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, has acknowledged the affected segment lies within Yemeni maritime jurisdictions in the Southern Red Sea. The company is actively rerouting traffic where possible but admits that certain services are currently down.

Tata Communications, responsible for the Seacom-TGN-Gulf line, has stated that it has initiated immediate remedial actions to deal with the situation. The company cites its investments in various cable consortiums as a means to automatically reroute services during such incidents.

Efforts to seek clarification from other companies responsible for the affected lines have been met with no immediate responses.

This incident comes after the Yemeni government alleged in early February that the Houthi rebels had planned to attack the cables. Internet access in Djibouti, served by Seacom, was observed to have suffered interruptions shortly after the cable cuts. However, the Houthis have denied any responsibility for these disruptions, instead blaming British and U.S. military operations without providing any substantiating evidence.

The Houthi rebels have been involved in a series of attacks targeting ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Recent attacks include the sinking of the fertilizer-carrying cargo ship, Rubymar, and the downing of an American drone. It should be noted that Houthi attacks have continued despite ongoing U.S.-led airstrikes.

In a separate incident, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center on Monday issued a warning about a new attack in the Gulf of Aden. The targeted vessel, described as a Liberia-flagged and Israel-affiliated container ship, sustained damage and issued a distress call.

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack and identified the ship as the MSC Sky II, owned by the Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Co. The Houthis vowed to continue targeting Israeli navigation until the conflict in Gaza ends.

The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, responsible for patrolling the Middle East, and Mediterranean Shipping Co. have not yet responded to queries regarding the attack.

While it remains unclear how the Houthi rebels could physically attack the subsea cables, as they lack the necessary diving or salvage capabilities, these incidents underscore the gravity of the situation and the significant challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in the region.