Microsoft Azure Cloud Services Experience Delays Due to Red Sea Undersea Cable Cuts

Microsoft has reported disruptions to its Azure cloud computing services caused by multiple undersea fiber optic cable cuts in the Red Sea near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. These cuts have led to increased latency affecting internet traffic passing through the Middle East, with users experiencing slower connections and delays, particularly for data routes between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Microsoft has not specified the cause of the damage but confirmed that traffic has been rerouted via alternate paths to mitigate impact, though delays remain while repairs continue. The affected cables include key systems like SMW4 and IMEWE, essential for transmitting data across continents. Internet monitoring organizations have noted disruptions in countries such as India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates. Although undersea cables can be damaged accidentally by ship anchors, there is ongoing concern about intentional sabotage, amid regional tensions and previous warnings about sabotage attempts by the Yemen-based Houthi movement, who deny responsibility for these recent incidents. Repairing undersea cables is a complex and lengthy process, often requiring specialized ships, with restoration potentially taking weeks. Microsoft and other tech companies are actively managing traffic routes to reduce impact while monitoring the situation.