Internet connectivity in parts of South Asia and the Middle East has been disrupted by multiple undersea cable failures in the Red Sea, internet monitor NetBlocks reports. Countries such as India, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates experienced degraded service following damage to the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Telecom providers in the UAE, including Etisalat and Du, also reported interruptions.

Microsoft confirmed that its Azure cloud platform was affected: traffic routed through the Middle East is seeing increased latency. However, services remain operational after rerouting data along alternative routes.

While some regional networks are experiencing delays, communications not routed through the Middle East have not been affected.

The cause of the cable damage is not yet confirmed. Sources suggest possible accidental damage — such as from a ship’s anchor — though geopolitical tensions in the region have also raised concerns. Repair efforts are expected to take time due to the logistical complexity of undersea infrastructure

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