Microsoft has warned of slower Azure cloud services after key undersea internet cables in the Red Sea were cut, forcing traffic to be rerouted and causing delays across parts of Asia and the Middle East.
The damage, near Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, affected the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems, which are two major routes linking Europe and Asia. Microsoft said traffic outside the Middle East is unaffected, but users in India, Pakistan and the UAE are facing slower speeds, especially at peak times.
The cause remains unclear, though regional tensions have fuelled concerns about sabotage. For example, in February, Yemen’s Houthi rebels were accused of planning attacks on similar infrastructure, though they denied involvement.
Microsoft has now diverted traffic through alternate paths, but repairing the damage may take weeks and cost up to £1 million per incident. Limited repair crews and the strategic importance of the Red Sea make the region especially vulnerable.
To reduce risk, businesses should review their cloud provider’s resilience, diversify service routes where possible, and ensure key systems can tolerate temporary delays.
