Red Sea Cable Cuts Spark Widespread Internet Disruptions Across Middle East and South Asia
Red Sea Cable Cuts Spark Widespread Internet Disruptions Across Middle East and South Asia
Major internet disruptions are currently affecting the Middle East and South Asia following multiple undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea. Tech giant Microsoft confirmed the issue, warning customers of increased latency in connectivity and stating that efforts are underway to resolve the problem.
Microsoft reported that the disruptions began at 05:45 GMT on September 6, impacting its Azure cloud computing services. While general network traffic not traversing the Middle East remains unaffected, users in countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and India are experiencing degraded internet connectivity, including slow speeds and intermittent access, according to internet watchdog NetBlocks.
NetBlocks specifically identified failures in the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as the cause. Pakistan Telecommunications, a major provider, has also alerted its customers to potential degradation during peak hours, confirming that international partners are actively working on a resolution.
Undersea cables form the critical backbone of global data traffic, with the Middle East serving as a vital link between Asia and Europe. These crucial infrastructures are vulnerable to damage from ship anchors and, at times, deliberate attacks. Earlier this year, Yemen’s government-in-exile accused Houthi rebels of planning such attacks, an allegation the Houthis denied despite acknowledging the recent cuts on their Al Masirah TV.
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