Houthis Threaten to Cut Submarine Optic Fibers and Disrupt Global Data
The realization of such a threat is a very challenging scenario that holds widespread economic implications. The forces operating in the region will need to work proactively to prevent this
Cmdr. (res.) Eyal Pinko
| 05/02/2024
Houthi tribesmen parade to show defiance after U.S. and U.K. air strikes on Houthi positions near Sanaa, Yemen February 4, 2024. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
After numerous attacks on merchant and warships in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and following American and British strikes on their bases in Yemen, along with a significant military presence in the region, the Houthi rebels are not giving up and once again are raising the tension bar. This time, the target of the terrorist organization’s naval arm is the submarine communication cables, which pass through the Strait.
On December 24, 2023, a Telegram channel affiliated with the Houthis published a map displaying the underwater communication cable networks in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Persian Gulf. The accompanying message conveyed ominous news: "There are maps of international cables connecting all world regions through the sea. It seems that Yemen is in a strategic location, as the internet lines connecting entire continents – not just countries – pass by it."
Despite not noting a specific goal in the statement, the threat aligns with the most aggressive military posture of the Houthis against maritime vessels in the Red Sea.
Disrupting maritime traffic
Since mid-October 2023, the terrorist organization has launched over 100 UAVs and missiles towards maritime vessels passing through the Bab el-Mandeb, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
The attacks have disrupted maritime traffic in the region, leading many major shipping companies to cease their voyages through the Red Sea on their routes from Asia to Europe. This has already caused a global price increase and delays in the worldwide supply chain.
The United States, in response to the situation, declared the establishment of a multinational naval task force to defend the vital waterway in the region. However, the actions of this multinational force have not deterred the Houthis from continuing their attacks.
In the Bab el-Mandeb area, numerous communication cables are laid on the seabed, serving data traffic between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This is one of the three largest chokepoints in the world, through which a significant portion of global communication traffic passes. Damage to these cables could lead to the closure of internet access in extensive areas and economic disruptions, particularly affecting countries in the Middle East. For the United States, damage to these cables might impact its global sensor and military communication network.
So far, the Houthis have primarily conducted attacks on maritime targets, utilizing a variety of Iranian-supplied naval weaponry. However, the capability to damage cables lying at depths of up to a hundred meters on the seabed requires different technologies and capabilities.
Help from Iran?
Considering Iran's deep involvement, means of warfare such as Iranian-manufactured naval mines in the hands of the Houthis or potentially even Iranian-supplied midget submarines could indeed provide the Houthis with the capability to carry out their threats effectively.
A reminder that the Iranians have developed, built, and are operating dozens of midget submarines. These Ghadir-class vessels are operated by a crew of six and are capable of operating at depths of up to 150 meters.
These submarines are equipped with two torpedo tubes, from which lightweight torpedoes (with a diameter of 330 mm) or short-range anti-ship missiles and naval mines can be launched. There is an assessment that it is reasonable to assume that these submarines may also be operated by Hezbollah.
It is possible that in the threat scenario, the next surprise from the Houthis could involve the use of midget submarines, not only to damage subsea communication cables but also to target naval vessels of the multinational force, with a particular emphasis on the United States and Britain, through underwater attacks.
Indeed, some might argue that the Houthis may not be capable of operating such submarines. However, similar doubts were raised about Hezbollah before they launched missiles during the Second Lebanon War towards Israeli Navy vessels.
By training in Iran and transporting the submarines on merchant ships to Yemen, this is indeed a surprise scenario that could be feasibly executed in Yemen.
Either way, the realization of the Houthis' threats to damage subsea communication cables is a very challenging scenario that holds widespread economic implications. The forces operating in the region will need to work proactively to prevent it in the foreseeable future.
The realization of such a threat is a very challenging scenario that holds widespread economic implications. The forces operating in the region will need to work proactively to prevent this
Houthi tribesmen parade to show defiance after U.S. and U.K. air strikes on Houthi positions near Sanaa, Yemen February 4, 2024. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
After numerous attacks on merchant and warships in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and following American and British strikes on their bases in Yemen, along with a significant military presence in the region, the Houthi rebels are not giving up and once again are raising the tension bar. This time, the target of the terrorist organization’s naval arm is the submarine communication cables, which pass through the Strait.
On December 24, 2023, a Telegram channel affiliated with the Houthis published a map displaying the underwater communication cable networks in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Persian Gulf. The accompanying message conveyed ominous news: "There are maps of international cables connecting all world regions through the sea. It seems that Yemen is in a strategic location, as the internet lines connecting entire continents – not just countries – pass by it."
Despite not noting a specific goal in the statement, the threat aligns with the most aggressive military posture of the Houthis against maritime vessels in the Red Sea.
Disrupting maritime traffic
Since mid-October 2023, the terrorist organization has launched over 100 UAVs and missiles towards maritime vessels passing through the Bab el-Mandeb, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
The attacks have disrupted maritime traffic in the region, leading many major shipping companies to cease their voyages through the Red Sea on their routes from Asia to Europe. This has already caused a global price increase and delays in the worldwide supply chain.
The United States, in response to the situation, declared the establishment of a multinational naval task force to defend the vital waterway in the region. However, the actions of this multinational force have not deterred the Houthis from continuing their attacks.
In the Bab el-Mandeb area, numerous communication cables are laid on the seabed, serving data traffic between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This is one of the three largest chokepoints in the world, through which a significant portion of global communication traffic passes. Damage to these cables could lead to the closure of internet access in extensive areas and economic disruptions, particularly affecting countries in the Middle East. For the United States, damage to these cables might impact its global sensor and military communication network.
So far, the Houthis have primarily conducted attacks on maritime targets, utilizing a variety of Iranian-supplied naval weaponry. However, the capability to damage cables lying at depths of up to a hundred meters on the seabed requires different technologies and capabilities.
Help from Iran?
Considering Iran's deep involvement, means of warfare such as Iranian-manufactured naval mines in the hands of the Houthis or potentially even Iranian-supplied midget submarines could indeed provide the Houthis with the capability to carry out their threats effectively.
A reminder that the Iranians have developed, built, and are operating dozens of midget submarines. These Ghadir-class vessels are operated by a crew of six and are capable of operating at depths of up to 150 meters.
These submarines are equipped with two torpedo tubes, from which lightweight torpedoes (with a diameter of 330 mm) or short-range anti-ship missiles and naval mines can be launched. There is an assessment that it is reasonable to assume that these submarines may also be operated by Hezbollah.
It is possible that in the threat scenario, the next surprise from the Houthis could involve the use of midget submarines, not only to damage subsea communication cables but also to target naval vessels of the multinational force, with a particular emphasis on the United States and Britain, through underwater attacks.
Indeed, some might argue that the Houthis may not be capable of operating such submarines. However, similar doubts were raised about Hezbollah before they launched missiles during the Second Lebanon War towards Israeli Navy vessels.
By training in Iran and transporting the submarines on merchant ships to Yemen, this is indeed a surprise scenario that could be feasibly executed in Yemen.
Either way, the realization of the Houthis' threats to damage subsea communication cables is a very challenging scenario that holds widespread economic implications. The forces operating in the region will need to work proactively to prevent it in the foreseeable future.
