Microsoft announced that its Azure cloud platform faced disruptions after several undersea cables in the Red Sea were cut. The company said users noticed delays as internet traffic through the Middle East slowed.
Microsoft secures alternative connections
Microsoft did not disclose the cause of the cable damage but confirmed that it redirected traffic via other routes. It underlined that regions outside the Middle East were not affected. Reports over the weekend suggested that the disruption also hit the United Arab Emirates and parts of Asia.
Ocean cables remain crucial for global internet
Cables placed on the ocean floor carry most international data and form the internet’s backbone. On Saturday, Microsoft warned that Azure services in the Middle East could face higher latency due to the fibre cuts.
Global monitoring groups report outages
NetBlocks, which monitors worldwide internet access, said the cuts disrupted services in India, Pakistan and other countries. Pakistan’s state telecom company confirmed the damage happened in Saudi waters near Jeddah. It warned that peak-hour traffic might worsen service interruptions.
Investigators assess potential sabotage
Cables often suffer damage from ship anchors but have also been targeted in deliberate attacks. In February 2024, several Red Sea cables were cut, interrupting traffic between Asia and Europe. That incident followed warnings from Yemen’s recognised government that the Iran-backed Houthi movement could sabotage undersea infrastructure. The Houthis rejected responsibility.
Rising concerns in European waters
In the Baltic Sea, undersea cables and pipelines have been damaged repeatedly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Earlier this year, Swedish investigators seized a ship suspected of harming a cable to Latvia. Prosecutors said early findings indicated sabotage.
