Undersea network cable partly owned by Gibtelecom damaged in Red Sea - concern Houthi rebels targeting western undersea infrastructure, according to Chronicle

An undersea pan-continential network cable, partly owned by Gibtelecom, has been damaged in the Red Sea amid concern that Iran-backed Houthi rebels are targeting western undersea infrastructure, according to the Gibraltar Chronicle.

Quoting a Gibtelecom spokesperson, the newspaper says there has been no impact on its core network because of its resilience and diversity, and is organising repairs.

Last month the internationally backed Yemeni Government, warned that the Houthis, whom they have been at war with since 2014, was planning to target undersea cables in order to impact the West's internet and financial data.

So far there have been three or four cables damaged, although Gibtelecom says its working assumption is that its cable has suffered anchor damage.

The East-India Gateway is owned by a consortium of 18 companies, and runs from the UK to India, connecting Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India.

The Royal Navy is part of a western force carrying out Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea, protecting commercial shipping from Houthi drones and boats.

At the weekend, HMS Diamond, which has been in Gibraltar re-arming and re-supplying over the last few weeks, left to return to the Red Sea.

In a joint statement the Chief Minister and the Governor have wished the Commanding Officer of HMS Diamond and her crew well in their next deployment.

They say HMS Diamond's presence alongside in Gibraltar these past few weeks has been an inspiration to all proud Britons on the Rock, and wished them safe passage and return to Gibraltar on their way home.

The Commanding Officer conveyed his gratitude for the outstanding support and hospitality shown by the whole of Gibraltar, adding that the visit had offered a superb break to the Ship’s Company after a busy period of operations.