Connectivity Disruption Hits Multiple Countries
Several Asian and Middle Eastern countries reported slower internet after undersea cables in the Red Sea were severed. Microsoft warned of higher latency in the Middle East, while watchdog group NetBlocks confirmed widespread service degradation.
Subsea Systems Affected
Two major systems, SMW4 and IMEWE, near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, suffered outages, disrupting digital traffic across the region.
Internet connectivity slowed across parts of Asia and the Middle East after multiple undersea cables were cut in the Red Sea. The Associated Press reported the incident on Sunday, noting the cause remains unclear.
Microsoft stated that users in the Middle East may experience increased latency, though global traffic outside the region remains unaffected.
NetBlocks, which monitors global internet disruptions, confirmed that subsea cable outages reduced connectivity in several countries, including Pakistan and India.
The disruption affected the South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 (SMW4) and IMEWE systems, both critical to regional internet flows. The SMW4 system is run by Tata Communications of India, while IMEWE is managed by a consortium led by Alcatel-Lucent.
Pakistan Telecommunications Co. Ltd. acknowledged the cuts in a statement. In the United Arab Emirates, users of Du and Etisalat also complained of slower speeds, though authorities there did not issue any comment.
One social media user highlighted that the India-Europe-Xpress cable, built by an Indian company, continues to function. That system may now play a key role in rerouting traffic to reduce the disruption.
Experts note that subsea cables face constant risks from ship anchors, natural causes, or deliberate sabotage. The backdrop of conflict in the Red Sea heightens concerns.
Houthi rebels, active in the region due to the Israel-Hamas war, denied direct involvement but acknowledged the incident through their al-Masirah satellite channel. Earlier this year, Yemen’s exiled government accused the Houthis of plotting cable attacks, a claim the group rejected.
From late 2023 through 2024, Houthis launched over 100 drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea, sinking four ships and killing at least eight crew members. After a short ceasefire, the campaign resumed before U.S. President Donald Trump ordered weeks of airstrikes. In July, Houthis sank two more vessels, killing four sailors and taking others hostage.
