Nigerian banks and internet providers are experiencing disruption in their services as Yemen’s Houthi rebels continue their attacks on the Red Sea.
Citing officials, the Associated Press on Thursday reported that “three cables” under the Red Sea were cut as Yemen’s Houthi rebels sustained an attack in the area with telecommunications infrastructure under the sea.
“Three cables under the Red Sea that provide global internet and telecommunications have been cut as the waterway remains a target of Yemen’s Houthi rebels,” the report said.
According to AP, what cut the lines remains unclear.
There has been concern about the cables being targeted in the Houthi campaign, which the rebels describe as an effort to pressure Israel to end its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The Houthi militants have denied attacking the lines, however.
“The cut lines include Asia-Africa-Europe 1, the Europe India Gateway, Seacom and TGN-Gulf,” the newspaper quoted Hong Kong-based HGC Global Communications to have said.
In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, internet services have been intermittently disrupted over the past few weeks.
MTN Nigeria in a message to their subscribers, said the disruption is caused by the damage of international undersea cables across East & West Africa while assuring their customers that they process of restoring normal service is ongoing
“Y’ello! We apologise for the challenges you may be experiencing with internet speed and accessing data services at the moment. This is as a result of damage to international undersea cables across East & West Africa.
“The repair process is ongoing to resolve the situation as soon as possible. Please look out for further updates.
The disruption is also affecting banking services.
“Please be informed that we are experiencing service disruptions due to Internet outage as a result of submarine communication cable cut that is affecting countries along West African coast,” Zenith Bank said in a statement on Thursday.
