Microsoft confirmed that its Azure cloud platform faced disruptions after undersea cables in the Red Sea were cut. The company said users experienced slower connections as internet traffic through the Middle East encountered delays.
Microsoft shifts routes to maintain service
Microsoft did not explain what caused the damage but said it redirected traffic through alternative routes. It stressed that services outside the Middle East remained unaffected. Reports over the weekend indicated that disruptions also hit the United Arab Emirates and some Asian countries.
Internet backbone under strain
Cables on the seabed carry global data and serve as the backbone of the internet. On Saturday, Microsoft warned that Azure customers in the Middle East might face latency due to the fibre cuts.
Monitoring groups confirm outages
NetBlocks, which tracks internet access, reported that cable cuts disrupted services in India, Pakistan and other nations. Pakistan’s state telecom provider confirmed the damage occurred near Jeddah in Saudi waters. It warned that peak-time use could worsen the situation.
Investigators consider sabotage risks
Cables often break after ships drop anchors, but deliberate attacks have also occurred. 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 responsibility.
Baltic region faces similar dangers
In the Baltic Sea, undersea cables and pipelines have repeatedly suffered damage since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Earlier this year, Swedish authorities detained a vessel suspected of damaging a cable to Latvia. Prosecutors said early findings suggested sabotage.
