The Yemeni Ministry of Telecoms and Information Technology (MTIT), under Houthi control, issued a rejection of allegations on Tuesday regarding the disruption of submarine communication cables in the Red Sea last Saturday. The ministry emphasized its commitment to the preservation and protection of all communication cables and their services from potential risks.
In a statement, the MTIT affirmed its dedication to providing the necessary facilities for the maintenance of international cables, stating that the decision to prevent the passage of Israeli ships does not extend to vessels from international companies licensed for marine cable maintenance work.
Earlier on the same day, Israeli newspaper Globes reported that at least four underwater communication cables suffered damage in the Red Sea, between Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Djibouti in East Africa. The damage was purportedly a result of operations led by the Yemeni armed forces, as claimed by the publication.
According to Globes, “four submarine communications cables have been damaged in the Red Sea between Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Djibouti in East Africa.”
The head of the Ansar Allah movement, Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, had previously asserted that there were no intentions to target submarine cables, including internet cables connecting the region from Sanaa.
Sanaa remains committed to ensuring unrestricted navigation in the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for all ships, excluding Israeli vessels and those destined for Israeli ports, until the cessation of aggression on Gaza. Recent incidents have seen an expansion of targeting to include ships from the US and UK due to the perceived aggression by these countries against Yemen.
