NewsGlobal fiber optic project to bypass Red Sea disruptions

Global fiber optic project to bypass Red Sea disruptions

A new fiber optic cable will connect Asia and Europe and bypass the Red Sea.
A new fiber optic cable will connect Asia and Europe and bypass the Red Sea.
Images source: © Adobe Stock

11:21 AM EDT, July 7, 2024

EXA Infrastructure, an international company specializing in digital infrastructure, in collaboration with the Turkish company Socar Fiber, is starting the construction of a terrestrial fiber optic cable that will bypass the Red Sea, reports the portal ekathimerini.com.

The portal describes that at least 25% of internet traffic and data transmitted from Asia to Europe via underwater fiber optics in the Red Sea has been disrupted since the beginning of the year.

New fiber optic will connect Asia with Europe

"The reason is said to be the attacks by Houthi rebels, who in several cases have caused serious damage to the submarine cables resulting in interruptions," reports the portal ekathimerini.com. A total of four out of sixteen underwater cables were damaged.

Importantly, these fiber optics account for 17% of the world's internet traffic. Therefore, a new investment was decided upon.

EXA Infrastructure, an international company specializing in digital infrastructure, in collaboration with the Turkish company Socar Fiber, is starting the construction of a terrestrial fiber optic cable that will bypass the Red Sea, reports the portal ekathimerini.com.

The Houthis threaten trade

Supported by Iran, the Houthi rebels have been attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden since last November, showing solidarity with the Palestinians fighting the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip.

The escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict occurred after an attack by militants of the terrorist organization Hamas on Israel, which resulted in the death of over 1,200 people, and over 250 were taken hostage. According to Palestinian health ministry data, more than 37,000 Palestinians have died as a result of Israel's retaliatory operation in the Gaza Strip.

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