Widespread internet disruptions hit multiple countries across the Middle East and South Asia on Sunday after undersea fibre cables were severed in the Red Sea, a critical global communications hub. The outages, reported by watchdogs and telecom providers, highlight the vulnerability of the world’s internet backbone.

In a statement, tech giant Microsoft confirmed that its Azure cloud computing services, the second-largest globally after Amazon Web Services, were affected. “Network traffic traversing through the Middle East may experience increased latency due to undersea fiber cuts in the Red Sea,” the company said. Microsoft noted that the disruptions began at 05:45 GMT on September 6, while stressing that traffic not routed through the region remained unaffected.

Internet connectivity watchdog NetBlocks reported degraded connectivity across Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and India, with users experiencing slower speeds and intermittent access. According to NetBlocks, the disruption stemmed from failures in the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan Telecommunications, one of the nation’s largest service providers, warned customers of slower speeds during peak hours, though it reassured users that international partners were working to restore normal connectivity. “We are actively coordinating to minimize impact,” the company said on X.

Undersea cables are crucial for carrying the vast majority of global data traffic, with the Middle East acting as a strategic corridor linking Asia and Europe. Despite their importance, these cables remain vulnerable to accidental damage, such as ships’ anchors, as well as deliberate sabotage.

Earlier this year, Yemen’s internationally recognized government-in-exile accused Houthi rebels of plotting to attack Red Sea cables. Although several were cut, the Houthis denied involvement. On Sunday, however, the Houthis’ Al Masirah TV acknowledged the recent cuts, citing NetBlocks’ findings.

The timing of the disruption has added to scrutiny of Microsoft’s role in the region. A joint investigation by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call recently alleged that Microsoft Azure stored intercepted Palestinian communications for Israel’s military intelligence unit, Unit 8200. Microsoft has denied knowledge of such use, but confirmed it was investigating the claims and has since dismissed four employees who protested the company’s links to Israel.

While the cause of the latest cable cuts remains unconfirmed, analysts say the outages underscore the risks of relying heavily on a handful of undersea cable routes. Any deliberate targeting of these arteries could disrupt global communications and further inflame regional conflicts.

For now, Microsoft has pledged to issue daily updates on service stability. NetBlocks, meanwhile, continues to monitor connectivity levels across affected countries. With internet usage surging across the Middle East and South Asia, the incident is a stark reminder of the fragility of the infrastructure that powers global connectivity.