Cables Cut in Red Sea Disrupt Internet in Asia and Mideast

Major Internet Disruptions in the Red Sea

A series of undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea have caused significant disruptions to internet connectivity across parts of Asia and the Middle East, according to experts. While the exact cause of the incidents remains unclear, concerns have been raised about the possibility of deliberate attacks, particularly given the ongoing conflict in the region.

The Red Sea is a critical area for global internet infrastructure, with several major undersea cables passing through it. These cables serve as vital links between continents, enabling high-speed data transmission. When these lines are damaged, it can lead to increased latency and slower internet speeds for users in affected regions.

Impact on Key Countries

Multiple countries have reported issues with their internet services. Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington, issued a statement indicating that the Middle East might experience higher latency due to the cable cuts. The company noted that traffic not routed through the Middle East was unaffected.

NetBlocks, an organization that monitors internet access, confirmed that a series of subsea cable outages in the Red Sea have led to degraded connectivity in several nations, including India and Pakistan. The disruption was attributed to failures affecting the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Tata Communications, which operates the South East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 4 (SEAM-EW4) cable, and Alcatel Submarine Networks, which oversees the India-Middle East-Western Europe (IMEWE) cable, have not yet responded to requests for comment.

In Pakistan, the state-owned Pakistan Telecommunications Co. acknowledged the cable cuts in a recent statement. However, Saudi Arabia has not officially recognized the disruption, and local authorities did not respond to inquiries.

Kuwait also reported issues, with officials stating that the Falcon GCX cable running through the Red Sea had been cut, causing service disruptions. GCX, the operator of the cable, has not provided a response to the allegations.

In the United Arab Emirates, residents using state-owned networks such as Du and Etisalat experienced slower internet speeds. Despite these reports, the UAE government has not publicly acknowledged the issue.

Causes of Cable Cuts

Subsea cables can be damaged by a variety of factors, including accidental cuts from ship anchors or targeted attacks. Repairing such damage often takes weeks, as specialized ships and crews must locate and fix the affected sections of the cable.

The recent disruptions come amid heightened tensions in the region. Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, have been engaged in a campaign targeting Israeli interests in response to the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes, leading to a cycle of violence that has escalated over time.

In early 2024, the internationally recognized government of Yemen accused the Houthis of planning to attack undersea cables in the Red Sea. Although several cables were reportedly cut, the Houthis denied any involvement. On Sunday, however, the Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah satellite news channel acknowledged the cuts, citing NetBlocks.

Escalating Conflict and Regional Implications

From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted more than 100 ships in the Red Sea using missiles and drones. Their campaign has resulted in the sinking of four vessels and the deaths of at least eight mariners. During a brief ceasefire, the attacks were temporarily halted, but they resumed after a period of intense U.S. airstrikes against the rebels.

In July, the Houthis sank two vessels, killing at least four people on board, while others were reportedly taken captive. Recently, a Houthi drone strike hit a passenger terminal in southern Israel, marking one of the few times the rebels have successfully bypassed Israeli defenses to strike a civilian target.

As the situation continues to evolve, the potential for a new ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict remains uncertain. Meanwhile, discussions between the U.S. and Iran regarding Iran’s nuclear program face challenges following Israel’s recent military actions against Iranian nuclear facilities.