Microsoft confirmed that its Azure cloud platform suffered disruptions after several undersea cables in the Red Sea were cut. The company said users faced slower connections as internet traffic through the Middle East was delayed.
Microsoft redirects internet traffic
Microsoft did not disclose what caused the cable damage but said traffic was rerouted through alternative routes. It stressed that services outside the Middle East continued without issues. Reports over the weekend suggested the disruption also reached the United Arab Emirates and parts of Asia.
Seabed cables form the internet backbone
Cables on the ocean floor carry global data and are seen as the backbone of the internet. On Saturday, Microsoft warned that Azure customers in the Middle East could experience higher latency because of the fibre cuts.
Monitoring groups confirm broader impact
NetBlocks, which observes internet connectivity worldwide, reported that cable cuts disrupted services in India, Pakistan and other countries. Pakistan’s state telecom provider said the damage occurred in Saudi waters near Jeddah. It warned that peak traffic hours could make the problem worse.
Possible sabotage under review
Cables are often damaged by ship anchors but have also been deliberately targeted. In February 2024, several Red Sea cables were cut, interrupting internet traffic between Asia and Europe. That event followed warnings from Yemen’s recognised government that the Iran-backed Houthi movement might sabotage cables. The Houthis denied involvement.
Rising concerns across Europe
In the Baltic Sea, both undersea cables and pipelines have been repeatedly damaged since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Earlier this year, Swedish investigators detained a ship suspected of damaging a cable to Latvia. Prosecutors said early evidence pointed towards sabotage.
