The Role of Unit 313 of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in Attacking Submarine Cables
An investigation by Sheba Intelligence revealed the involvement of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in targeting submarine cables in the Red Sea.
The investigation, which will be published later, said that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps used submarine Internet cables as part of its battle plan to control the region and that the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group appointed in mid-2022 a military commander, who was supervising military operations in Bab al-Mandab, to prepare a plan for the cables that pass along Yemen’s coast.
Sheba Intelligence obtained information indicating that Unit 313 of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, in cooperation with the Al-Ansar Cyber Unit, carried out two operations targeting submarine cables passing from the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf and is planning a third operation in the Mediterranean Sea.
The investigation ruled out the scenario of the Rubymar ship’s anchor affecting marine cables, indicating that Russia and China would likely benefit from the damage the submarine cables sustained, given that the two operations that were carried out in February and March 2024 aimed to disrupt communications operations between the East and the West, while the third operation that will target Israel is still a plan.
The Sheba Intelligence investigation revealed information about Unit 313 in the Revolutionary Guard Corps that carried out the attacks against submarine cables, indicating that this Unit is specialized in Yemen and is part of the Quds Force 300 Electronic Command, which General Hamid Reda commands.
The investigation also revealed the connection of Unit 313 of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps with Iranian military units in Yemen, such as the air defense command and control unit in Yemen led by Iranian General Seyyed Ahmad Hosseini Benjaki, and the unmanned weapons unit and missile force in Yemen led by Iranian General Ali Mahdian, who is accused of cybercrimes to influence the American elections.
