Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, Azure, is facing interruptions due to damage to undersea cables in the Red Sea, impacting internet traffic flows through the Middle East, the company announced over the weekend.
Users relying on Microsoft’s Azure platform may experience slower response times because of disturbances caused by breaks in fiber-optic cables submerged beneath the Red Sea. These vital cables serve as conduits for data transmission between continents, often described as the internet’s backbone.
While Microsoft did not specify the cause of the damage, it assured customers that alternative routes have been established to minimize disruptions. The company emphasized that only traffic routed through the Middle East would see increased latency; connections elsewhere remain unaffected.
Reports earlier this week indicated that cable interruptions have also impacted connectivity in the United Arab Emirates and parts of Asia. The Pakistan Telecommunication Company confirmed on social media that the faults occurred near Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and cautioned about potential slowdowns during busy periods of internet use.
Undersea cables can suffer harm accidentally, such as from ship anchors, yet there have been cases of deliberate sabotage. A similar incident took place in February 2024 when cables in the Red Sea were severed, affecting communication between Asia and Europe. That event followed warnings by Yemen’s government of possible attacks from Iran-aligned Houthi forces, who denied responsibility.
Parallel concerns about underwater infrastructure security have arisen in the Baltic Sea. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, cables and gas pipelines in the region have experienced damage believed to be intentional. Earlier this year, Swedish authorities detained a vessel suspected of inflicting harm on a fiber line to Latvia.
These repeated vulnerabilities underline how crucial and yet fragile the global network connecting continents has become.
Microsoft and regional authorities continue to investigate the incidents while striving to reduce impact on users and ensure system resilience.
