DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Recent undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea have significantly disrupted internet access across parts of Asia and the Middle East, according to experts on Sunday. The cause of these disruptions remains unclear, raising concerns about whether they are linked to ongoing tensions in the region.
There are growing fears that the cables may have been targeted as part of a campaign by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The rebels have framed their actions as a means to pressure Israel to cease its military operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. However, the Houthis have consistently denied any involvement in attacks on these vital communication lines.
Microsoft issued a statement via its status website, indicating that the Middle East may experience heightened latency due to the undersea fiber cuts in the Red Sea. The tech giant from Redmond, Washington, did not provide further details but assured users that internet traffic bypassing the Middle East remains unaffected.
NetBlocks, an organization that monitors global internet access, reported that a series of subsea cable outages in the Red Sea has severely affected connectivity in multiple countries, including India and Pakistan. The outages were specifically linked to failures impacting the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 cable, operated by Tata Communications, part of the Indian conglomerate, and the India-Middle East-Western Europe cable managed by a consortium led by Alcatel-Lucent, have both faced issues, but neither company provided immediate comments regarding the disruptions.
In Pakistan, the Pakistan Telecommunications Co. Ltd. acknowledged the cable cuts in a statement released on Saturday. Meanwhile, authorities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, home to major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, did not immediately respond to requests for comments on the situation. Users on state-owned networks, Du and Etisalat, reported experiencing slower internet speeds, further indicating the widespread impact of the incidents.
Subsea cables can be damaged by various factors, including anchors dropped from ships or deliberate attacks. The recent cuts coincide with a series of assaults by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Israeli targets during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. In response, Israel has launched retaliatory airstrikes, including operations that have resulted in the deaths of significant Houthi leaders.
In early 2024, Yemen’s internationally recognized government in exile accused the Houthis of planning to target undersea cables in the Red Sea. Although several cables were cut, the Houthis denied responsibility. On Sunday morning, the rebels' al-Masirah satellite news channel confirmed the cable cuts, referencing information from NetBlocks.
From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis have reportedly targeted over 100 ships using missiles and drones amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Their campaign has resulted in the sinking of four vessels and the deaths of at least eight mariners. The Iranian-backed rebels halted their attacks momentarily during a ceasefire but were subsequently targeted by an extensive series of airstrikes ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump.
In July, the Houthis sunk two vessels, leading to casualties, with many others believed to be captured by the rebels. As the situation continues to evolve, the impact of these undersea cable disruptions may have far-reaching consequences for internet connectivity in the region.
