Hacktivist group targets internet exchange, citing UK support for Israel amidst Yemen operations

In a swift response to the recent US-UK airstrikes in Yemen, hacktivist group Anonymous Sudan claims to have launched a significant cyber attack against the UK. The group alleges that the attack is not only a reprisal for the airstrikes but also a protest against Britain’s perceived support for Israel. The target of their assault: the renowned London Internet Exchange (LINX).

Anonymous Sudan issued a warning on the messaging platform Telegram, declaring their intent to carry out a “big attack on the UK soon.” They attributed their actions to the air attacks in Yemen and what they termed as the UK’s “unconditional support” for the Israeli regime, further describing it as “genocidal.”

Approximately an hour after their announcement, Anonymous Sudan claimed to have successfully attacked LINX, one of the world’s largest internet exchange points. Operating in London and Peterborough, LINX plays a crucial role in enhancing the speed and reliability of internet providers by facilitating direct interconnection between different networks.

The hacktivist group asserted that their attack specifically targeted LINX’s routing infrastructure, alleging that it rendered certain services “unreachable.”

Anonymous Sudan, recognized as a grassroots hacktivist collective, declares its mission as targeting countries and organizations involved in what they term “anti-Muslim activity.” This cyber attack aligns with their previous actions, including attacks on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s websites and Mossad, the intelligence agency of Israel, in April 2023.

It’s worth noting that Anonymous Sudan operates independently and has no affiliation with the well-known Guy Fawkes mask-wearing hacktivist group, Anonymous.

This cyber assault comes amidst heightened tensions following the US and UK airstrikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak authorized the military action in response to weeks of Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The airstrikes, which targeted 30 locations, resulted in the elimination of 60 military targets, including an airbase, airport, and army camp, with five militants reported killed.

As Anonymous Sudan asserts its digital protest, the aftermath of this cyber attack adds a new dimension to the geopolitical landscape, emphasizing the interconnected nature of conflicts in the digital age.