Microsoft Azure faces disruptions after fiber optic cable damage in the Red Sea

In September 2025, significant disruptions to Microsoft's cloud service, Azure, were reported due to damage to undersea fiber optic cables in the Red Sea. Users relying on these cables for data traffic in the Middle East experienced increased latency, which affected their connectivity and overall service quality. Microsoft acknowledged the issue and reassured users that only traffic passing through the affected region would experience the higher latency. The exact cause of the cable damage has not been disclosed by the company, leaving users and observers speculating about the implications of this disruption. Prior to this incident, there had been heightened tensions in the Red Sea region, partly due to interventions from Houthi rebels in Yemen. These developments have been linked to attacks on trade vessels, raising concerns about economic stability in the area. The Houthi movement has expressed solidarity with Hamas and has been actively involved in threatening maritime traffic, which may have broader implications for regional trade and security. Following the damage, the company committed to providing daily updates on the situation. As they monitor the ongoing situation, Microsoft is keen on ensuring that users are kept informed about service disruptions and expected recovery timelines. However, the company did not link this event to any deliberate acts of sabotage or external attacks. The disruption, while significant, highlights the vulnerability of even the largest cloud service providers to infrastructure damage caused by external factors beyond their control. As more information becomes available, industry observers may need to analyze these disruptions in the context of greater geopolitical issues in the Middle East. With strategic chokepoints like the Red Sea facing threats from insurgent groups, technology companies must remain vigilant and consider alternative routes or technologies to maintain service reliability and security. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust infrastructure and geographic diversification in global service delivery strategies.