Overview

• Microsoft warned Azure customers of higher latency on routes traversing the Middle East and said it has rerouted traffic and will post daily updates.
• NetBlocks reported degraded connectivity tied to failures on the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems near Jeddah, affecting access in countries including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
• Pakistan Telecommunications Co. confirmed the disruption, and UAE users on Du and Etisalat reported slower speeds as authorities offered no immediate public comment.
• The cause remains under investigation, with attribution unresolved, as Yemen’s Houthi-linked al-Masirah channel acknowledged that cuts occurred after earlier denials of involvement.
• Engineers say full restoration will take time because subsea repairs require specialized vessels and coordination, so operators are optimizing routes to limit user impact.