Microsoft announced on Sunday that its Azure cloud platform was facing network delays in parts of the Middle East due to “undersea fiber cuts” in the Red Sea.
The company did not specify the cause of the damage but confirmed that its network had been affected since Saturday. “Network traffic that does not traverse through the Middle East is not impacted,” Microsoft said in a statement.
Independent watchdog NetBlocks reported that the outages have degraded internet connectivity in several countries, including India and Pakistan.
Rising Concerns Over Red Sea Cables
The Red Sea is a key corridor for global telecom and internet cables, carrying vast amounts of international data. However, concerns have grown since Yemeni Huthi rebels began targeting merchant vessels in late 2023 in solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza conflict, raising fears over the security of critical infrastructure.
Currently, about 1.4 million kilometers (900,000 miles) of fiber optic cables lie on the ocean floor, enabling global trade, banking, healthcare, education, and essential digital services.
Cable Damage — A Frequent Challenge
Damage to submarine cables is not rare. The International Cable Protection Committee notes that 150–200 outages occur each year worldwide, averaging about three incidents weekly.
While fishing and anchoring account for most disruptions, natural wear, equipment failures, and environmental hazards also contribute.
