The recent simultaneous cuts to multiple undersea fiber optic cables in the Red Sea have triggered widespread internet disruptions impacting millions across Asia and the Middle East. These incidents have exposed the vulnerability of vital subsea communication infrastructure supporting global digital connectivity.
Incident Overview and Impact
On September 6, 2025, critical submarine cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, including the South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 (SMW4) and India–Middle East–Western Europe (IMEWE) lines, were severed. This disruption affected internet connectivity in countries like India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and neighboring regions, causing slower speeds, increased latency, and intermittent access to major online services.
The internet slowdown was particularly acute for users of Microsoft Azure, a global leader in cloud services. Microsoft confirmed increased latency for traffic routed via the Middle East and initiated rerouting through alternative paths, which temporarily mitigated service degradation but resulted in slower performance.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | From 05:45 UTC, September 6, 2025 |
| Location of Cable Cuts | Red Sea, near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| Affected Cable Systems | SMW4 and IMEWE |
| Impacted Regions | India, Pakistan, UAE, broader Middle East and parts of Asia |
| Service Providers Affected | Microsoft Azure, Etisalat, Du network (UAE), Pakistan Telecommunication Company |
| Immediate Effects | Increased latency, slow internet speeds, service interruptions |
| Repair Difficulty | High due to geopolitically sensitive area and complexity of undersea repairs |
Technical and Strategic Context
Undersea cables carry over 95% of the world’s international data traffic, making them indispensable to global internet operations, financial markets, telecommunications, and government functions. The Red Sea is a strategic chokepoint where many cable systems converge in a narrow maritime corridor, creating a critical point of failure risk.
The consequences of these cable cuts have ripple effects across multiple sectors, underscoring the fragile dependency on physically vulnerable infrastructure routes. Repairing the damaged fibers is a challenging process. Specialized cable repair ships must locate, retrieve, and fix the cables on the seabed, which can take several weeks owing to the depth, location sensitivity, and security concerns.
Geopolitical Implications and Speculations
While no conclusive attribution has been made, the context of ongoing regional conflict complicates the scenario. Yemen’s Houthi rebels, engaged in hostilities in the Red Sea and broader area, have been suspected of targeting maritime infrastructure to exert political pressure related to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. The Houthis have denied responsibility for the cable damage.
This strategic vulnerability is not new; submarine cables have been points of contention and targets in geopolitical disputes, highlighting the need for comprehensive international cooperation to safeguard global communication infrastructure.
Microsoft Azure and Service Providers’ Response
Microsoft issued continuous status updates, emphasizing traffic rerouting through alternative networks to minimize customer impact and committed to daily communication on the incident progress. Regional telecom operators like Etisalat, Du, and Pakistan Telecommunication Company acknowledged degraded performance and warned users about possible ongoing slowdowns during peak times.
| Provider | Response Summary |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Azure | Rerouted traffic; monitoring latency and performance; providing regular updates |
| UAE Telecoms (Etisalat, Du) | Acknowledged slow speed issues; users reported internet instability |
| Pakistan Telecommunication | Warned customers of potential service disruption during high traffic hours |
Broader Lessons and Future Safeguards
The Red Sea cable cuts reiterate the cyber-physical vulnerabilities of global communications infrastructure in geopolitically sensitive regions. Experts advocate for:
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Increased investment in redundant cable routes and diversified traffic paths to reduce single points of failure.
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Enhanced maritime security around critical subsea cable corridors.
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International agreements on protecting undersea communication infrastructure.
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Development of rapid-response repair capabilities and distributed cloud services to mitigate regional disruptions.
Timeline of Recent Cable Incidents in the Red Sea Region
| Date | Event Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2024 | Multiple Red Sea cable damages amid Houthi attacks | 25% Asia-Europe traffic disrupted |
| Mar 2025 | PEACE cable severed near Sudan | Affected Pakistan-Europe connectivity |
| Sep 6, 2025 | Current cable cuts near Jeddah causing Azure latency | Internet slowdown across Middle East, Asia |
In conclusion, the September 2025 Red Sea undersea cable cuts have disrupted internet access and cloud services across a significant portion of Asia and the Middle East. This incident highlights not only technological challenges but also the complex geopolitical risks surrounding the world’s internet infrastructure. Coordinated global efforts are vital to securing these lifelines that underpin modern digital economies and communications.