de.euronews.com
Undersea Cable Cut Disrupts Internet in Asia and Middle East
A severed undersea cable in the Red Sea disrupted internet access in parts of Asia and the Middle East on Sunday, with the cause yet unknown, impacting systems like SMW4 and IMEWE, and potentially linked to the Yemen conflict.
- What is the extent of the internet disruption caused by the Red Sea cable cut?
- The severed undersea cable in the Red Sea disrupted internet access in parts of Asia and the Middle East. NetBlocks identified outages in the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, affecting countries including India and Pakistan. Users in the UAE also reported slower internet speeds.
- What are the broader implications and potential future consequences of this event?
- This incident highlights the vulnerability of undersea internet infrastructure. The lack of confirmation from affected governments and companies underscores the need for improved transparency and communication during such disruptions. The incident also raises concerns about the potential for future attacks on undersea cables, impacting global internet connectivity.
- What are the suspected causes of the cable damage and what evidence supports these theories?
- While the cause remains unconfirmed, suspicion centers on potential attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, aiming to pressure Israel over the Gaza conflict. However, the Huthis deny past involvement. The incident is also possible due to accidental human activity such as fishing or anchoring, accounting for up to 80% of such incidents yearly, according to the International Cable Protection Committee.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced account of the disruption, mentioning various potential causes and perspectives without overtly favoring any particular explanation. While the possibility of Houthi involvement is raised, it's presented alongside other potential causes like accidental damage and natural events. The article also highlights the lack of official confirmation from various governments and companies, which contributes to a neutral tone. However, the title "Warum schweigen alle?" (Why is everyone silent?) injects a slightly accusatory tone, suggesting a potential cover-up. This is somewhat mitigated by the article's subsequent presentation of various unconfirmed explanations.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective. The article uses factual reporting and quotes from sources such as NetBlocks. While the headline "Warum schweigen alle?" (Why is everyone silent?) is leading, the rest of the text avoids loaded language and presents information fairly.
Bias by Omission
The article could benefit from including more diverse perspectives. For example, it could include comments from experts on undersea cable infrastructure maintenance and security. Additionally, it omits discussion of potential economic or political consequences of the disruption. There is a lack of direct quotes or statements from Houthi representatives, only a mention of their past denials. The space limitations might explain the lack of deeper dives into some of the sub-topics.
Sustainable Development Goals
The disruption of submarine cables in the Red Sea directly impacts internet connectivity, hindering access to information and communication technologies, which are crucial for progress in various sectors. This affects the infrastructure that supports economic activities, education, healthcare, and overall societal development. The incident highlights the vulnerability of global communication infrastructure and the need for resilience and diversification.