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6d ago

Red Sea Cable Cuts Disrupt Internet Across Asia and the Mideast as Azure Reroutes Traffic

Repairs are expected to take weeks, resulting in slower Europe–Asia connections on alternate routes.

Microsoft Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella speaks speaks about Microsoft Azure during the Microsoft Build opening keynote at the Seattle Convention Center Summit Building in Seattle, Washington on May 21, 2024.
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Repair crews face a tough mission as broken undersea cables in the Red Sea disrupt internet and cloud speeds across continents.

Overview

  • Network monitors and carriers reported failures on the SMW4 and IMEWE systems near Jeddah, degrading connectivity in India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and other countries.
  • Microsoft said Azure remains online after traffic was shifted off Middle East routes, warning of higher latency on paths that previously traversed the region and pledging daily status updates.
  • Pakistan Telecommunications confirmed the cuts, and users on UAE providers Du and Etisalat reported slow speeds, while Saudi authorities offered no public acknowledgment.
  • The cause has not been verified, with past incidents tied to anchors or suspected attacks; Houthi-linked media noted the cuts, but responsibility remains disputed.
  • Operators and experts cautioned that subsea repairs require specialized ships and coordination, meaning performance impacts on cross‑region workloads could persist.