The BBC notes:
Yemen's legitimate, UN-recognised government in Aden has warned that the Houthis, who seized much of Yemen in 2014, are now threatening to sabotage the crucial undersea communication cables, including internet lines, which run under the Red Sea - connecting Asia to Europe.The warning came after a channel linked to the Houthis on the Telegram messaging app posted a map showing undersea cable routes in the Red Sea.Could the Houthis sabotage these lines? They almost certainly would if they could.The group has reportedly claimed that they have easily accessed maps showing the confluence of undersea communications cables running past their coastline, as they pass through the Bab al-Mandab Strait which, at its narrowest, is just 20 miles (32km) wide.
(See Maps)
Yes, this is a real problem. However, Russia has facilities across the Arctic that connect St Petersburg to Nahodka. That being the case the West would be at the mercy of Russia for Eastbound traffic. Pacific Westbound would still function but India would be in trouble. Again see above Maps reference.
By the way, all it requires is a fishing trawler, an anchor, a map and GPS. Cheap and it is game over!
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