Undersea cable cuts in Red Sea disrupt internet access across Asia and Mideast

On Sunday, September 07, 2025, significant disruptions to internet access occurred in several countries in Asia and the Middle East due to cuts in undersea cables located in the Red Sea. Experts indicated that these disruptions resulted from failures affecting the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This incident has sparked concerns regarding the influence of Yemen's Houthi rebels, who, amidst their ongoing campaign against Israel over the Gaza conflict, were rumored to be attacking the undersea cables as a form of pressure. However, the Houthis have previously denied such claims of targeting the cables. These cables are critical for internet connectivity, serving as backbone infrastructure alongside satellite and land-based connections. Microsoft acknowledged the disruptions, noting that increased latency in the Middle East could impact services. The company stated that internet traffic outside this region remained unaffected. NetBlocks, a global internet monitoring organization, reported several subsea cable outages that degraded connectivity for countries like India and Pakistan, attributing the failures directly to the cable cuts. The South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 cable is operated by Tata Communications, while the India-Middle East-Western Europe cable is managed by Alcatel Submarine Networks; both organizations have not commented publicly on the situation. Telecommunication companies, including Pakistan Telecommunications Co. Ltd., confirmed the occurrence of the cable cuts, although the Saudi government did not publicly respond to the incident. In the United Arab Emirates, internet users on the state-owned Du and Etisalat networks reported slower speeds, with the government similarly failing to acknowledge the disruptions. The lack of responses from various authorities raises questions regarding the communication and transparency surrounding such significant internet connectivity issues in the region. While subsea cables can often be damaged by natural occurrences or accidents, this incident could also represent a targeted action amid escalating conflicts involving the Houthis and other regional powers. As the situation develops, the international community is urged to monitor the wider implications of these cable cuts, particularly in light of the geopolitical tensions that are already affecting a region where the internet plays a critical role in connecting diverse populations. The impact of these disruptions on economies and daily life might be substantial, reminding stakeholders of the fragility of infrastructure that supports modern digital communication.