Microsoft Azure Services Disrupted Following Red Sea Cable Cuts
Multiple subsea fiber-optic cables in the Red Sea have been severed, leading to significant disruptions in internet connectivity across the region. Microsoft confirmed the incident after its Azure cloud computing customers reported increased latency on September 6, 2025. While the exact cause of the cable cuts remains unclear, the company has implemented temporary solutions to mitigate the impact while working on a long-term restoration plan.
Impact on Internet Connectivity
The disruption primarily affected internet traffic passing through the Middle East, particularly connections to Asia and Europe. Microsoft noted that all other global internet traffic remained unaffected. The company acknowledged that users would experience higher latency as data reroutes through alternative regions. Other tech firms, including NetBlocks and Linode, have also reported similar latency issues, indicating a broader impact on internet services in the area. Pakistan’s telecom authority has issued warnings about potential disruptions, underscoring the widespread nature of the incident.
Response from Microsoft and Other Companies
Microsoft has confirmed that it is actively monitoring the situation and optimizing routing to minimize customer impact. The company stated that repairs to undersea fiber cuts can be time-consuming, and it is committed to maintaining service continuity during this period. Tata Communications and Alcatel Submarine Networks, responsible for two of the affected cables, have yet to comment on the outage. The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of subsea cable networks, which are critical for global trade and communication.
Geopolitical Context and Future Implications
Yemen’s Minister of Information and Culture, Moammar al-Eryani, described the cable cuts as a “wake-up call for the international community.” He emphasized the importance of subsea cable networks in the context of escalating geopolitical tensions, suggesting that they are increasingly at risk of attacks. This incident follows previous disruptions, including cable damage in February 2024 that affected Asia-Europe traffic. Additionally, several cables and pipelines in the Baltic Sea have been damaged since 2022, with suspicions of links to the ongoing conflict related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Current Status and Outlook
As of now, Microsoft has managed to restore internet traffic, albeit with slower performance due to rerouting through different paths. The company continues to work on a comprehensive plan to address the underlying issues caused by the cable cuts. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as the affected companies and authorities assess the full extent of the damage and implement necessary repairs.
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