Microsoft confirmed that its Azure cloud platform faced disruptions after several undersea cables in the Red Sea were damaged. The company said users experienced slower connections as internet traffic through the Middle East slowed.
Microsoft redirects network flows
Microsoft did not reveal what caused the cable damage but confirmed that traffic was rerouted through alternative paths. It underlined that services outside the Middle East remained unaffected. Reports over the weekend suggested that the problem also spread to the United Arab Emirates and some Asian nations.
Internet backbone under pressure
Cables on the seabed transport most global data and serve as the backbone of the internet. On Saturday, Microsoft warned that Azure users in the Middle East might face higher latency due to the fibre cuts.
Monitoring groups report global outages
NetBlocks, which observes internet access worldwide, confirmed several cable cuts disrupted services in India, Pakistan and other countries. Pakistan’s state telecom provider said the incident happened near Jeddah in Saudi waters. It warned that peak-hour usage could worsen the situation.
Investigations probe possible sabotage
Anchors from ships often damage cables, but deliberate targeting has also occurred in the past. In February 2024, several Red Sea cables were cut, disrupting data flows between Asia and Europe. That incident followed warnings from Yemen’s recognised government that the Iran-backed Houthi movement might attack the cables. The Houthis denied involvement.
Europe faces repeated damage cases
In the Baltic Sea, both cables and pipelines have been damaged several times since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Earlier this year, Swedish authorities detained a vessel suspected of damaging a cable to Latvia. Prosecutors said early investigations pointed towards sabotage.
