Undersea Cable Disruptions Cause Internet Connectivity Issues Across Middle East and Asia

A disruption in internet access has been reported across parts of Asia and the Middle East due to damage to undersea cables in the Red Sea. Microsoft stated that the Middle East may experience increased latency due to cuts in the SMW4 and IMEWE subsea cables. These cables connect various regions, including India and Pakistan, to the rest of the world. The outages have been traced to faults near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but the causes remain unclear. Some reports suggest possible involvement of Houthi rebels, who have previously targeted cables in the region as part of their ongoing conflict. NetBlocks, which monitors global internet access, confirmed a significant drop in connectivity on Saturday, with users in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia reporting slower speeds. Despite the disruptions, internet traffic not passing through the affected regions remains unaffected. Efforts to repair the cables are underway, though full restoration could take weeks. The undersea cables in the Red Sea are vital for global internet communication, and their vulnerability to both accidents and targeted attacks highlights the delicate infrastructure that underpins modern digital connectivity.