Undersea cables disrupted, affecting internet in Asia and the Middle East

In early September 2025, disruptions to internet services occurred in multiple countries across Asia and the Middle East due to cuts in undersea cables located in the Red Sea. Experts indicated that repairs to the damaged cables could take weeks, as repair crews must locate the exact positions of the severed cables. Internet access has been significantly impaired in several countries, including India and Pakistan, where users experienced degraded connectivity. The incidents were reported to be related to the failures affecting the South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 and India-Middle East-Western Europe cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Reports have emerged suggesting that the disruptions might be linked to ongoing tensions in the region, particularly between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Israel in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Yemen’s internationally recognized government, operating from the south, accused the Houthis of orchestrating these attacks against the undersea cables, viewing it as part of their broader military campaign aimed at pressuring Israel amidst the tense warfare in Gaza. Despite these allegations, the Houthis have repeatedly denied any involvement in targeting the cables directly. In response to the outages, several telecommunications companies, including Microsoft and Pakistan Telecommunications Co. Ltd., acknowledged the impact of the cable cuts on internet connectivity, with Microsoft warning of increased latency in the Middle East. Users in the United Arab Emirates also reported slower internet speeds as a consequence of the disruptions, although the Saudi Arabian government chose not to comment or acknowledge the situation publicly. As digital infrastructures become increasingly vulnerable to modern warfare tactics, experts emphasize the critical importance of protecting these vital communication channels. Moammar al-Eryani, Yemen’s information minister, called for urgent action from the international community to prevent further attacks and safeguard the digital infrastructure that sustains modern society. These cable disruptions serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing ramifications of conflict in the region, highlighting how war can extend beyond traditional battlefields into the realms of global communication and connectivity.