Current:Home > MarketsInternet collapses in war-torn Yemen after recent attacks by Houthi rebels targeting Israel, US-LoTradeCoin
Internet collapses in war-torn Yemen after recent attacks by Houthi rebels targeting Israel, US
View Date:2024-12-23 22:28:53
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Internet access across the war-torn nation of Yemen collapsed early Friday without explanation, web monitors said.
The outage began early Friday around 0000 GMT and saw all traffic halt at YemenNet, the country’s main provider to some 10 million users which is now controlled by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
Both NetBlocks, a group tracking internet outages, and the internet services company CloudFlare reported the outage. The two did not offer a cause for the outage.
“Data shows that the issue has impacted connectivity at a national level as well,” CloudFlare said.
The Houthis and Yemen telecommunication officials did not immediately acknowledge the outage.
A previous outage occurred in January 2022 when the Saudi-led coalition battling the Houthis in Yemen bombed a telecommunications building in the Red City port city of Hodeida. There was no immediate word of a similar attack.
The undersea FALCON cable carries internet into Yemen through the Hodeida port along the Red Sea for TeleYemen. The FALCON cable has another landing in Yemen’s far eastern port of Ghaydah as well, but the majority of Yemen’s population lives in its west along the Red Sea.
GCX, the company that operates the cable, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
The outage came after a series of recent drone and missile attacks by the Houthis targeting Israel amid its campaign of airstrikes and a ground offensive targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip. That includes a claimed strike Thursday again targeting the Israeli port city Eilat on the Red Sea. Meanwhile, the Houthis also shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone this week as well with a surface-to-air missile, part of a wide series of attacks in the Mideast raising concerns about a regional war breaking out.
Yemen’s conflict began in 2014 when the Houthis seized Sanaa and much of the country’s north. The internationally recognized government fled to the south and then into exile in Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi takeover prompted a Saudi-led coalition to intervene months later and the conflict turned into a regional proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, with the U.S. long involved on the periphery, providing intelligence assistance to the kingdom.
However, international criticism over Saudi airstrikes killing civilians saw the U.S. pull back its support. But the U.S. is suspected of still carrying out drone strikes targeting suspected members of Yemen’s local al-Qaida branch.
The war has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, killing tens of thousands more. A cease-fire that expired last October largely has held in the time since, though the Houthis are believed to be slowly stepping up their attacks as a permanent peace has yet to be reached.
veryGood! (97)
Related
- Investigators believe Wisconsin kayaker faked his own death before fleeing to eastern Europe
- 13 men, including an American, arrested at Canada hotel and charged with luring minors for sexual abuse
- Derek Hough 'can't wait' to make tour return after wife Hayley Erbert's health scare
- This website wants to help you cry. Why that's a good thing.
- Controversial comedian Shane Gillis announces his 'biggest tour yet'
- The Daily Money: New to taxes or status changed?
- Explosion at Virginia home kills 1 firefighter and hospitalizes 9 firefighters and 2 civilians
- Would Kristin Cavallari Return to Reality TV? The Hills Alum Says…
- Deion Sanders doubles down on vow to 99-year-old Colorado superfan
- This website wants to help you cry. Why that's a good thing.
Ranking
- Family of security guard shot and killed at Portland, Oregon, hospital sues facility for $35M
- Bodies of deputy and woman he arrested found after patrol car goes into river; deputy's final text to wife was water
- Taylor Swift donates $100,000 to family of woman killed in Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting
- Judge expresses skepticism at Texas law that lets police arrest migrants for illegal entry
- Maryland man wanted after 'extensive collection' of 3D-printed ghost guns found at his home
- Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo suspended two games for PED violation, per report
- MLB spring training 2024 maps: Where every team is playing in Florida and Arizona
- Rachel Brosnahan, Danai Gurira, Hoda and Jenna rock front row at Sergio Hudson NYFW show
Recommendation
-
New York nursing home operator accused of neglect settles with state for $45M
-
What does it mean to claim the US is a Christian nation, and what does the Constitution say?
-
Ukrainian man pleads guilty in cyberattack that temporarily disrupted major Vermont hospital
-
How long will the solar eclipse darkness last in your city? Explore these interactive maps.
-
'Red One' review: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans embark on a joyless search for Santa
-
Psst! Lululemon’s Align Leggings Are $39 Right Now, Plus More Under $40 Finds You Don’t Want to Miss
-
Fani Willis’ testimony evokes long-standing frustrations for Black women leaders
-
Vince Carter, Doug Collins, Seimone Augustus lead 2024 Basketball Hall of Fame finalists