Samachar Post | Technology Desk | 9 September 2025
Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform — one of the world’s largest cloud computing infrastructures — is experiencing disruptions following damage to undersea internet cables in the Red Sea. The company confirmed that users could face increased latency and performance delays due to ongoing connectivity issues in the Middle East region.
While Microsoft stopped short of offering specific details about the cause of the cable damage, the tech giant acknowledged the disruptions in a public statement, confirming that internet traffic routed via the Middle East has been impacted. Engineers have already initiated mitigation strategies, including re-routing data through alternate international networks, in an effort to minimize downtime and maintain service availability.
This latest cable disruption underlines the growing vulnerability of global internet infrastructure, especially as tensions remain high in key geopolitical regions. The Red Sea, a critical artery for digital communication cables linking Europe and Asia, is once again at the center of global attention due to these repeated incidents.
Connectivity Delays Impacting Azure Clients
The disruption has affected Microsoft Azure users globally, particularly clients whose traffic typically routes through the Middle East. Azure powers not just Microsoft’s own services like Teams, Office 365, and Dynamics, but also enterprise cloud computing for thousands of businesses worldwide.
According to Microsoft’s service status update published on Saturday, “Customers with Azure resources routed through the Middle East may experience increased latency due to undersea fibre cuts in the Red Sea. Traffic not traversing this region remains unaffected.”
By Sunday evening, Microsoft reported that its network resilience protocols — which include dynamic re-routing and data replication — had kicked in. Still, end users in affected regions continue to face higher-than-normal latency and sporadic access issues, particularly during peak hours.
Broader Internet Disruptions Across South Asia and Gulf Nations
Microsoft’s announcement coincides with a series of reports from telecom regulators and infrastructure monitors highlighting widespread internet service degradation in parts of Asia and the Middle East. NetBlocks, a non-governmental organization that tracks global internet access, confirmed the incident, noting a “significant impact on digital connectivity in countries such as India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates.”
In Pakistan, PTCL (Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited) issued a warning that users may face fluctuations in service quality, especially during evening hours when demand typically surges. According to their statement, the cable cuts occurred in deep-sea waters off the coast of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia — a major cable landing hub in the region.
While the exact number of damaged cables has not been officially disclosed, sources suggest at least three separate cable systems are affected. Each system carries terabits of data per second, meaning even partial outages can severely impact digital traffic flow between continents.
Undersea Cables: The Internet’s Fragile Backbone
Undersea fibre-optic cables are the unsung heroes of the global internet, carrying over 95% of intercontinental digital data. Spanning hundreds of thousands of kilometers across ocean floors, these cables are largely invisible to the general public but remain essential for everything from cloud computing to video streaming and international banking.
Cable cuts are not uncommon. They can occur due to natural causes like earthquakes, accidental damage from ships’ anchors, or, in some cases, deliberate sabotage. In shallow waters like those of the Red Sea and the Baltic Sea, the cables are especially vulnerable.
Earlier this year, Swedish authorities launched an investigation into suspected sabotage of a Baltic Sea internet cable linking Sweden and Latvia. A commercial vessel, later detained by authorities, was suspected of dragging its anchor across the cable, severing critical digital infrastructure. Investigators have not ruled out state-sponsored actions in that incident.
Sabotage or Accident? A Pattern Emerging in Strategic Waterways
The Red Sea has become a hotspot for both commercial and strategic maritime activity. Its geopolitical importance has only increased following recent conflicts in the region. The area is not just a critical chokepoint for global shipping but also a digital conduit, connecting multiple continents through undersea data cables.
In February 2024, a similar cable disruption in the Red Sea led to massive data slowdowns between Asia and Europe. That incident followed warnings from Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which claimed that Iran-backed Houthi rebels might attempt to damage undersea cables or target commercial vessels. The Houthis denied involvement at the time.
Though no group has claimed responsibility for the latest cable damage, the circumstances have once again raised concerns over intentional sabotage. Experts say the frequency and concentration of incidents in sensitive maritime regions like the Red Sea and the Baltic Sea are too high to ignore.
Microsoft and Global Tech Giants Brace for Future Risks
Cloud service providers like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google maintain highly redundant global networks, which are designed to withstand partial outages. However, recent events are forcing these companies to reassess the physical vulnerabilities of their infrastructure, particularly undersea cables that fall outside their direct control.
Microsoft has not disclosed which specific cable systems were affected, nor has it provided a precise timeline for full restoration. Industry insiders speculate that systems such as AAE-1, SEACOM, or EIG — all of which run through the Red Sea — could be among those hit.
The company’s global infrastructure relies heavily on strategic interconnection points, with critical landing stations in countries like Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Any disruption in these areas can ripple across Microsoft’s entire cloud architecture, affecting enterprise clients across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Security of Subsea Infrastructure Comes Under Global Scrutiny
Governments and tech companies alike are now investing in technologies to monitor and secure subsea cables. Efforts are underway to develop real-time surveillance systems, including the use of underwater drones and AI-powered anomaly detection tools, to detect potential tampering or accidental damage.
The European Union and NATO have both launched task forces to safeguard undersea infrastructure. The UK has committed to deploying a specialized naval surveillance ship, while the U.S. has enhanced its collaboration with regional allies to monitor maritime activity in the Red Sea.
Despite these measures, most of the world’s undersea cables are owned and operated by private consortiums, not national governments, leading to complex jurisdictional challenges when dealing with sabotage or repair efforts.
Outlook for Azure Users and Global Businesses
As Microsoft continues to reroute Azure traffic, businesses in the affected regions are being advised to monitor performance metrics, prepare for intermittent disruptions, and ensure backups are in place for mission-critical operations. The company has pledged to provide regular updates as more information becomes available.
Meanwhile, the incident highlights the urgent need for diversified internet routing, greater investment in satellite-based communication alternatives, and stronger international coordination for infrastructure resilience.
The disruption of Microsoft’s Azure cloud services due to Red Sea undersea cable cuts is yet another reminder of the fragility of the global internet’s physical infrastructure. While efforts to reroute traffic have mitigated some of the immediate impact, the incident raises serious questions about the security of essential digital pathways in geopolitically volatile regions. As the world becomes ever more reliant on cloud computing and data-intensive technologies, the resilience and protection of undersea cable systems will remain a critical priority for both private enterprises and national governments.
