Undersea Cable Cuts Disrupt Internet Access in the Middle East and Asia
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Internet access was interrupted on Sunday in several parts of Asia and the Middle East due to damage to undersea cables in the Red Sea. The exact cause of the cuts remains unclear, but experts have raised concerns about potential involvement from the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have been intensifying their military actions amid ongoing conflicts in the region.
The Houthis, who described their military efforts as a way to pressure Israel to cease its actions in Gaza, have denied any involvement in the damage to the cables. These undersea cables are critical for global internet connectivity, working alongside satellite links and land cables. Typically, internet service providers have multiple access points and can reroute traffic if one path fails, although users may still experience slower internet speeds.
Microsoft issued a statement indicating that the Middle East might experience internet delays due to the disruptions. While the company did not provide specific details, they noted that services not routed through the Middle East remain unaffected.
NetBlocks, an organization that monitors internet access, confirmed reports of multiple severed cables degrading internet connectivity in various countries, including India and Pakistan. They pointed to failures affecting the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The SMW4 cable is run by Tata Communications, part of an Indian conglomerate, while the IMEWE cable is managed by a consortium led by Alcatel-Lucent. Both firms did not respond to requests for comments on the situation.
In Pakistan, the country’s telecommunications giant acknowledged the occurrence of the cuts in a statement. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has not officially recognized the disruption, and authorities did not provide a response to inquiries.
Users in the United Arab Emirates, particularly those using state-run internet services like Du and Etisalat, reported service delays. The government has not made any announcements regarding the interruptions.
Undersea cables can be damaged by ships’ anchors or attacks, and repairs can take significant time as specialized ships and crews must locate the damaged sections. This incident coincides with the Houthis’ ongoing campaign against Israel amid the larger conflict with Hamas.
Historically, the Houthis have been accused of plotting attacks on undersea cables, although they have denied responsibility for this incident. Reports from their media outlet acknowledged the cable cuts, attributing information to NetBlocks.
The Houthis have escalated military actions, sinking vessels and targeting shipping interests in recent months, leading to casualties among sailors. While Iran supports the Houthis, the situation remains fluid, especially regarding potential diplomatic dialogues involving the United States and Iran, which have been strained by recent military actions in the region.
As developments continue, the implications of these cable disruptions underscore the vital role of internet infrastructure and the potential geopolitical tensions that can affect global connectivity.
