Undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea have caused widespread internet disruptions across Asia and the Middle East. Disruptions have been traced to vital systems near Jeddah. Major cloud provider Microsoft warned of increased latency for services like Azure, although traffic rerouting has kept core operations online. Speculation about the cause is mounting amid escalating regional conflicts.

Regional Impact and Technical Response

Connectivity watchdog NetBlocks confirmed severe degradation of internet service in countries such as India, Pakistan, and the UAE—particularly on networks operated by Du and Etisalat.

Microsoft reported that traffic through the Middle East may experience delays, but rerouting measures have preserved overall connectivity. "Service degradation may occur, but traffic not routed through the region remains unaffected," the company stated.

Cables Affected — Critical Infrastructure Under Strain

Industry monitors and analysts have pinpointed the damaged systems as the SMW4 (South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4) and IMEWE (India–Middle East–Western Europe) cables, both running through a narrow corridor near Jeddah. Additionally, Kuwait’s Falcon GCX cable has been disrupted. Operators from these systems have not publicly commented.

Fault or Foul Play? Security Risks in a Hot Zone

While no party has claimed responsibility, analysts are suspicious given the strategic importance of the route and recent tensions in the region. Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have ramped up attacks on shipping lanes in support of Gaza, are under scrutiny—even as they deny targeting the cables themselves.

The Connectivity Choke-Point

The Red Sea is a critical choke-point for internet infrastructure, linking Asia, Europe, and Africa. Even minor disruptions in this region can have outsized ripple effects on global data flows. This recent incident underscores the fragility of that digital backbone—and the urgency of diversifying routes to prevent repeat disruptions.