Red Sea Cable Cut: Internet services across parts of Asia and the Middle East faced major disruptions after undersea cables in the Red Sea were cut, experts reported on Sunday. While suspicions of sabotage arose amid ongoing regional conflicts, the exact cause of the incident remains unclear, according to the Associated Press.
Internet Disruption Across Asia and Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Microsoft’s status page indicated that the Middle East “may experience increased latency due to undersea fiber cuts in the Red Sea,” though internet traffic beyond the region remained unaffected.
The affected cable systems included the South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 (SMW4) and the India-Middle East-Western Europe (IMEWE), both near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. SMW4 is operated by Tata Communications, part of India’s Tata Group, while IMEWE is managed by a consortium led by Alcatel-Lucent.
Pakistan Telecommunications Co. Ltd. confirmed the cable cuts on Saturday. In the UAE, users of state-owned Du and Etisalat networks reported slower speeds, although officials in Saudi Arabia and the UAE remained silent. Kuwait also reported disruptions from the FALCON GCX cable running through the Red Sea.
Submarine cables are critical to global internet infrastructure
Submarine cables are critical to global internet infrastructure but remain vulnerable to accidental damage from ship anchors or potential deliberate attacks. Repairs can take weeks, requiring specialized vessels to locate and fix the cuts.
This disruption coincides with heightened conflict involving Yemen’s Houthi rebels, linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Although the Houthis denied targeting the subsea infrastructure, Yemen’s internationally recognized government alleged the cable cuts were connected to Houthi attacks.
Yemen’s Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani stated, “What is happening today in the Red Sea should serve as a wake-up call for the international community to protect the digital infrastructure that serves as the lifeline of the modern world.”
From late 2023 through 2024, the Houthis launched over 100 attacks on ships in the Red Sea using missiles and drones, sinking four vessels and killing at least eight mariners. The rebels view their actions as exerting pressure on Israel regarding Gaza, leading to retaliatory airstrikes.
Earlier this year, Yemen’s government accused the Houthis of planning cable attacks, which the group rejected. Multiple cables were cut, potentially by a ship’s anchor, but the Houthis denied responsibility.
This cable disruption highlights growing concerns about the security and resilience of global digital infrastructure amid geopolitical conflicts.
