Disruption of Red Sea Submarine Cables: Implications for Global Internet Connectivity

On September 6, 2025, significant disruptions occurred in submarine internet cables in the Red Sea, specifically affecting the South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 (SEA-ME-WE 4), India-Middle East-Western Europe (IMEWE), and FALCON GCX cables. These cables, which span thousands of kilometers and connect multiple countries, including Singapore, the UAE, India, and France, ceased functioning due to damage. The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of undersea cables, which are crucial for global internet traffic, carrying over 99 percent of data communications.

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Initial fears suggested that the cable cuts might be the result of intentional sabotage, potentially linked to ongoing maritime tensions in the region. However, recent assessments by experts, including the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), indicate that the damage was likely caused by a ship anchor, dismissing earlier concerns of malicious activity. The shallow seabeds in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where many cables are located, expose them to maritime accidents, making them particularly vulnerable.

Red Sea Cable Damage Will Cause Weeks of Internet Disruptions? Here’s What You Need to Know

The cable disruptions have led to significant slowdowns in internet connectivity across parts of Asia and the Middle East. Microsoft Azure reported increased latency in network traffic traversing through the Middle East, affecting users in countries such as Pakistan, India, and the UAE. Although rerouting efforts helped maintain some level of service, overall network performance remained degraded. The Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication in Pakistan noted that the impact on the country was approximately 1.3 terabytes, though redundancy measures limited the net effect to about 400 gigabytes.

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In light of the incident, there are calls for regional navies to patrol cable routes to deter potential threats. Countries bordering the Baltic Sea have successfully implemented similar strategies to protect their undersea cables. However, logistical challenges remain, including determining which navies should conduct the patrols and how many resources would be required.

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Despite the reassurances regarding the cause of the cable damage, concerns persist about the overall safety of undersea cables in conflict-prone areas. Critics argue that without adequate protective measures and international cooperation, such incidents may recur, further disrupting global internet services.

Red Sea Cable Damage Will Cause Weeks of Internet Disruptions? Here’s What You Need to Know

• “Cloud services giant Microsoft Azure issued a status alert noting that, as of early on 6 September, “network traffic traversing through the Middle East may experience increased latency due to undersea fiber cuts in the Red Sea.” — Microsoft Azure

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• “Five cables were simultaneously damaged, four around September 6 and 7, and one earlier,” — Shaza Fatima, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Pakistan

Govt Gives Update About Slow Internet in Pakistan

Repairs to the severed cables are expected to take weeks, with specialized ships required for restoration. Ongoing regional conflicts could further delay the repair process, highlighting the need for enhanced protective measures for critical infrastructure in vulnerable maritime zones.

Red Sea Cable Damage Will Cause Weeks of Internet Disruptions? Here’s What You Need to Know