Why in news?
In early September 2025, several submarine cables beneath the Red Sea were damaged, disrupting internet traffic between Asia and Europe. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of global communication infrastructure and the strategic importance of the Red Sea.
About the Red Sea
The Red Sea is a narrow waterway lying between northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It connects the Suez Canal and Mediterranean Sea in the north to the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean in the south. Countries bordering the sea include Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The sea was formed by the rifting of Africa and Arabia, and it is one of the world’s warmest and saltiest bodies of water.
Undersea cables
About 95 percent of global internet and telephone traffic travels through fibre‑optic cables laid on the ocean floor. These cables are as thin as garden hoses but carry vast amounts of data. They rest on the seabed or are buried under shallow sediments, and they can be damaged by earthquakes, anchors, fishing gear or sabotage.
Implications of cable cuts
- Connectivity: When multiple cables are damaged, internet connectivity slows or stops for entire regions. In September 2025, countries in East Africa and South Asia experienced outages and rerouted traffic through other cables.
- Economic impact: E‑commerce, financial transactions and communications depend on reliable links. Disruptions can lead to economic losses.
- Security concerns: Cable cuts raise questions about sabotage and the need to protect critical infrastructure. Nations may need coordinated policies and surveillance to safeguard cables.
Way forward
- Diversify routes by laying new cables through the Indian Ocean and terrestrial corridors to reduce dependence on chokepoints like the Red Sea.
- Promote international cooperation for cable security and rapid repair, involving both public and private stakeholders.
- Encourage resilience planning by internet service providers and governments, including backup satellite links.