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Undersea Cable Cuts Disrupt Internet Across Asia, Middle East

9/7/2025

48 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea disrupted internet access in parts of Asia and the Middle East.
The cause is unclear, but Yemen's Houthi rebels are suspected.
Microsoft noted increased latency in the Middle East, impacting Azure services.
NetBlocks reported degraded connectivity in India and Pakistan due to SMW4 and IMEWE cable failures.
UAE users experienced slower internet speeds, though the government has not acknowledged the issue.

History

Historical Context

In 2008, the severing of undersea cables near Egypt disrupted over 75% of internet traffic in the Middle East and South Asia, exposing vulnerabilities in global connectivity. Recent disruptions in the Red Sea, potentially linked to Yemen's Houthi rebels, echo these past challenges, underscoring ongoing geopolitical tensions that threaten digital infrastructure and highlight the urgent need for resilient communication networks.

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Story summary

Undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea disrupted internet access in parts of Asia and the Middle East.
The cause is unclear, but Yemen's Houthi rebels are suspected.
Microsoft noted increased latency in the Middle East, impacting Azure services.
NetBlocks reported degraded connectivity in India and Pakistan due to SMW4 and IMEWE cable failures.
UAE users experienced slower internet speeds, though the government has not acknowledged the issue.

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