Global Impact — September 8, 2025
Undersea fiber-optic cables in the Red Sea have been cut, causing internet slowdowns across Asia and the Middle East. Microsoft warns that its Azure cloud services may experience increased latency, especially for traffic routed through the region.
What’s Happened and Who’s Affected?
- Critical cables near Jeddah, including SMW4 and IMEWE systems, have been damaged, leading to degraded connectivity in India, Pakistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and beyond.
- Microsoft confirmed service delays for Azure users whose traffic passes through the Middle East. They have rerouted data to alternate paths to reduce disruptions.
- Telecom providers like Etisalat and Du in the UAE reported slower internet speeds, though full service has not been interrupted.
Cause and Repair Challenges
The exact cause of the cable cuts is unknown. Potential factors include maritime accidents or deliberate damage. The Houthis have been suspected due to their past Red Sea actions, though no claims have been made.
Repairs may take days to weeks, as securing repair permits and deploying vessels is complex. The Red Sea’s cable network remains a vulnerable link in global connectivity.
Why It Matters
- These cables carry critical data between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Disruptions highlight internet fragility and underline the need for backup routes.
- Businesses dependent on Azure or regional data links may face performance hiccups.
- The incident underscores the urgency of infrastructure diversification and route redundancy.
Quick Summary
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Affected Region | Red Sea — Near Jeddah, impacting Asia and Middle East |
| Impacted Services | Internet speeds, Azure cloud services, regional connectivity |
| Cause | Unknown — possibly accidental or malicious (Houthi suspicions remain) |
| Microsoft’s Response | Rerouted traffic; monitoring; providing updates to users |
| Broader Implications | Exposes global internet vulnerability; need for infrastructure backup |