Red Sea Submarine Cable Cut Slows Internet in India, Pakistan & Middle East
On Sunday, September 6, 2025, several critical international submarine internet cables laid beneath the Red Sea were suddenly severed, causing significant disruptions in internet connectivity across several countries in the Middle East and South Asia. The technical fault affected Microsoft’s cloud service Azure and slowed down internet networks, making them unstable. Users in India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and other affected regions reported significant drops in internet speed and connectivity issues. This incident highlights the complexity of global digital connectivity and the critical importance of submarine cables.
Cable Cut Incident and Timing
According to official information from Microsoft, the incident began at 5:45 AM on September 6. During this time, technical faults occurred in submarine cable systems such as SMW4 and IMEWE under the Red Sea, disrupting internet traffic. Microsoft stated that the issue primarily affected data traffic passing through the Middle East. Traffic not routed through this region remained unaffected. The company’s teams are actively monitoring the situation and rerouting traffic through alternative paths to mitigate the problem.
Affected Regions and Impact on Internet Services
Network monitoring firm NetBlocks confirmed that the cable cuts caused reduced internet speeds in India, Pakistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other countries, with intermittent connectivity in several locations. In Saudi Arabia, particularly near Jeddah, the technical faults in the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems caused local users to experience internet issues. Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTCL) also informed customers on the social media platform X that internet services might be affected, and their teams were working to resolve the issue.
Users reported that the slowdown disrupted video calls, web browsing, online streaming, and cloud-based services. Digital businesses and work-from-home setups were also adversely affected. Network providers noted that domestic data networks were largely unaffected, but international data traffic faced delays.
Why Red Sea Submarine Cables Are Important
Submarine optical fiber cables form the backbone of global internet connectivity. They connect continents and carry massive volumes of data. The cables passing through the Middle East connect Asia, Europe, and Africa. Approximately 17% of global internet traffic flows through these cables, making any damage or disruption far-reaching.
Experts note that submarine cables can be damaged due to several reasons, including ship anchors, marine activity, deliberate sabotage or cyberattacks, and sometimes geological or weather-related events.
Suspicions of Houthi Rebels, Israel Tensions Discussed
A similar incident occurred in 2024 when Yemen’s exiled government accused Houthi rebels of attacking submarine cables. The Houthis denied these allegations. Some reports now suggest that the current cable disruption might have been targeted by Houthi rebels to pressure Israel over the Gaza issue. Al Masirah TV, supportive of the Houthis, confirmed the incident citing NetBlocks. Investigations are ongoing, and no final conclusions have been reached.
Meanwhile, Microsoft faced another controversy as Israeli forces allegedly accessed Palestinian phone call data via the company’s Azure cloud service. Microsoft rejected the claim and began investigating. This issue is emerging amid a sensitive political backdrop.
Microsoft’s Update and Solution
Microsoft stated that their teams are continuously monitoring the situation. Affected network traffic is being rerouted through alternative paths to minimize user disruption. They noted that some cloud-based services on Azure might experience slower performance or instability.
A permanent solution will only be possible after the damaged submarine cables are repaired. Cable repair is a complex process requiring specialized repair ships to reach and fix the damaged sections. This can take time, meaning users may face disruptions for several weeks or months.
Importance of Submarine Cables and Global Connectivity Challenges
This incident demonstrates how technical issues in one region can affect internet connectivity thousands of kilometers away. In today’s digital age, submarine cables are the backbone of the internet, supporting large-scale trade, communication, information exchange, and economic activity.
However, ensuring their security, maintenance, and reliability presents global challenges. Technical faults, natural events, deliberate attacks, or accidents can put this critical infrastructure at risk, impacting the digital economy on a wide scale.
Consumer Advisory
Consumers should expect slow internet speeds, intermittent connectivity, and delays in cloud-based services. Work-from-home setups, online education, and business operations may face temporary inconveniences. Service providers and Microsoft teams are actively working to resolve the issue and are providing regular updates.
Conclusion
The Red Sea submarine internet cable cuts are not just a technical glitch but a significant disruption to global connectivity. India, Pakistan, Middle Eastern countries, and the UAE experienced widespread impacts. Slow internet speeds, instability, and service disruptions affected millions of users. Microsoft and international partners are actively working on solutions. Full restoration of internet services may take some time, and users are advised to remain patient. The incident has once again highlighted the critical importance of monitoring, securing, and maintaining submarine cables globally to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
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