Overview

• NetBlocks reported failures on the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems near Jeddah that degraded connectivity in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, India and Pakistan.
• Microsoft said it diverted Azure traffic onto alternative paths and later reported services operational, though customers on routes transiting the Middle East should expect slower performance.
• Traffic that does not traverse Middle East routes remains unaffected, according to Microsoft’s status updates.
• Pakistan Telecommunications confirmed the cuts, and users on the UAE’s Du and Etisalat networks reported slow speeds and intermittent access.
• The cause has not been determined; Houthi-run al-Masirah acknowledged the disruptions, while experts say subsea repairs requiring specialized ships and access approvals could take weeks.