The Yemeni government delays repairs on damaged internet cable amid ties to Houthi militia
In a move that highlights the complex political landscape of Yemen, the government is currently delaying repairs on a crucial internet cable in the Red Sea while conducting a criminal investigation into the cable owners’ alleged connections to the Iran-backed Houthi militia.
The damaged AAE-1 cable, part of a 25,000-kilometer system linking Europe to Southeast Asia, is owned by a consortium of operators that includes TeleYemen, the country’s only international carrier. The Houthis, considered a terrorist organization by the US and its allies, control much of Yemen’s telecommunications infrastructure, including a branch of TeleYemen.
As the investigation unfolds, the Yemeni government has not granted permission for repairs to begin in Yemeni waters, underscoring the challenges faced by companies reliant on this critical system for transcontinental internet connectivity. This situation serves as a poignant reminder of the intersection between geopolitics and technology in today’s interconnected world.