Microsoft Azure services face disruptions after submarine cables in the Red Sea were damaged, causing internet outages across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Experts warn of growing risks to global connectivity.

Microsoft Confirms Azure Disruptions

Microsoft has confirmed that its Azure cloud services experienced widespread disruption after damage to submarine cables in the Red Sea. The company, one of the world’s leading providers of cloud computing, said the outages led to slower connections and delays for users whose traffic relied on routes through the Middle East.

In a statement, Microsoft explained that the damage had affected “undersea fiber outages in the Red Sea” but reassured clients that traffic not passing through the region remained unaffected. It added that alternative routing paths had been established to minimise disruption.

Submarine Cables: The Internet’s Hidden Backbone

The cables in question form part of a vast global network lying on the ocean floor, carrying data between continents. Often described as the backbone of the internet, they are crucial to international communications and cloud services such as Microsoft Azure.

Reports over the weekend indicated that outages had already been felt across the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, India, and several Asian countries. NetBlocks, an independent organization monitoring global connectivity, confirmed that multiple submarine cable failures in the Red Sea had led to widespread internet service degradation.

Regional Impact in Asia and the Middle East

Pakistan Telecommunications Company (PTCL) said disruptions occurred near the Saudi port city of Jeddah. The provider warned that users should expect slower internet speeds during peak hours as traffic is rerouted.

The incident highlights the vulnerability of global digital infrastructure, as even minor damage to undersea cables can lead to significant slowdowns in data transfer across regions. Anchors dropped by ships remain one of the most common causes of such damage, but deliberate sabotage has also been recorded in the past.

A History of Attacks and Risks

This latest outage follows a series of incidents targeting undersea infrastructure in recent years. In February 2024, several communication cables in the Red Sea were cut, severely disrupting traffic between Asia and Europe. At the time, Yemen’s internationally recognized government accused the Iran-backed Houthi movement of plotting sabotage, though the group denied involvement.

Similar cases have also been reported in the Baltic Sea since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, where cables and gas pipelines were damaged in suspected attacks. Swedish authorities earlier this year detained a vessel accused of damaging a Baltic Sea cable linking Sweden and Latvia, with prosecutors suggesting sabotage as the likely cause.

 Fragile Cables, Global Consequences

The damage to Microsoft’s submarine cables in the Red Sea underscores the critical importance—and fragility—of the infrastructure powering the modern internet. With rising geopolitical tensions and increasing reliance on cloud services like Azure, experts warn that protecting these underwater lifelines must become a global security priority.