Microsoft confirmed that its Azure cloud platform experienced 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 reroutes to reduce delays
Microsoft did not reveal what caused the cable damage but said it redirected traffic through alternative paths. It emphasised that services outside the Middle East continued normally. Reports over the weekend suggested that the issue also spread to the United Arab Emirates and some Asian countries.
Ocean cables keep the world online
Cables lying on the seabed carry most international data and act as the backbone of the internet. On Saturday, Microsoft warned that Azure users in the Middle East could face higher latency because of the fibre cuts.
Watchdogs confirm wider disruptions
NetBlocks, which monitors internet availability, reported that services in India, Pakistan and other countries were affected. Pakistan’s state telecom provider said the cuts happened in Saudi waters near Jeddah. It warned that peak-hour traffic could make the disruption worse.
Investigators explore sabotage concerns
Undersea cables often suffer damage from ship anchors but have also been deliberately attacked. In February 2024, several Red Sea cables were cut, disrupting connections between Asia and Europe. That incident came after Yemen’s recognised government warned that the Iran-backed Houthi movement might target cables. The Houthis denied any involvement.
Europe faces repeated cable damage
In the Baltic Sea, undersea cables and pipelines have been damaged several times since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Earlier this year, Swedish investigators detained a vessel suspected of harming a cable to Latvia. Prosecutors said initial evidence pointed towards sabotage.
