Significant disruptions to internet connectivity have affected large parts of Asia and the Middle East on September 6, 2025, following the severing of multiple undersea cables in the Red Sea. The incident has led to widespread outages and increased internet latency, impacting key regions including India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates.
The affected infrastructure includes critical data arteries such as the South East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 4 (SMW4) and the India-Middle East-Western Europe (IMEWE) cable systems. These systems are vital conduits for international digital traffic, with the Red Sea area carrying an estimated 17% of the world's internet traffic. Microsoft confirmed that its Azure cloud services experienced increased latency as network traffic was rerouted through alternative, longer pathways to mitigate the impact.
While the precise cause of the cable cuts remains under investigation, speculation has turned towards potential sabotage amid ongoing regional geopolitical tensions. Historically, accidental damage from ship anchors has been a common cause of undersea cable breaks. However, given the Red Sea's sensitive security environment, deliberate interference is also being considered. Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have previously been accused of targeting maritime infrastructure, have denied involvement in this latest incident. Similar accusations were made against the group in early 2024, which also resulted in significant internet disruptions.
Experts emphasize that these events underscore the inherent fragility of the global digital infrastructure, which relies heavily on these submerged cables. The complexity and time required for repairs, often taking weeks or even months due to the need for specialized vessels and equipment, mean that the disruptions could be prolonged. This situation highlights the critical need for enhanced resilience and diversification of digital communication networks to safeguard against such impactful events.
The incident serves as a potent reminder of our interconnected world and the essential role of these unseen networks in maintaining global commerce and communication, prompting a deeper consideration of how to fortify these vital arteries against future disruptions.