Red Sea Cable Cuts Disrupt Global Internet Traffic

On September 6, 2025, multiple undersea cable systems in the Red Sea, including SMW4, IMEWE, and FALCON GCX, were severed, resulting in significant internet disruptions across Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. This incident affected approximately 17% of global internet traffic, underscoring the fragility of digital infrastructure and the critical role of undersea cables in global connectivity.

The Red Sea serves as a vital conduit for internet traffic, facilitating communication between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Damage to these cables resulted in latency spikes and slower internet speeds, particularly impacting services like Microsoft Azure, which relies heavily on these routes. Microsoft reported increased latency for users in regions such as India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates, as traffic was rerouted through alternative paths.

Initial investigations suggest that the damage may have been caused by a commercial ship's anchor dragging across the seabed near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Such incidents highlight the vulnerability of undersea cables, which are often located in shallow waters and can be susceptible to accidental or deliberate damage.

The Red Sea cable cuts are not an isolated incident. In early 2024, similar disruptions occurred when multiple cables in the region were damaged, resulting in internet connectivity issues between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. These recurring issues emphasize the need for enhanced protection and redundancy in global internet infrastructure.

Experts argue that the current reliance on a limited number of undersea cable routes poses significant risks to global internet stability. While rerouting traffic can mitigate immediate disruptions, it often leads to increased latency and slower speeds. To address these challenges, there is a growing call for diversifying internet pathways, including the development of Arctic and satellite-based routes, to ensure more resilient and secure global connectivity.

In conclusion, the Red Sea cable cuts serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in our digital infrastructure. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it is imperative to invest in robust, diversified, and secure internet pathways to safeguard against potential disruptions and ensure the continued growth of the global digital economy.

Beyond the immediate technical impact, the economic consequences of cable disruptions are substantial. Slower connectivity hampers financial markets, cross-border business operations, and e-commerce platforms that depend on real-time transactions. For developing economies in Africa and South Asia, which are heavily reliant on a handful of submarine cables for international connectivity, outages can stall economic activity and widen the digital divide. Even short-term disruptions can result in millions of dollars in productivity losses, underscoring the deep integration of the internet into modern economies.

The incident has also reignited conversations about geopolitical risk in the Red Sea region. Given its strategic importance for global trade and digital communication, the area is susceptible to regional conflicts and potential acts of sabotage. Security analysts note that undersea cables are not always well-protected, and intentional targeting could have far-reaching consequences for both national security and international relations.

In light of these vulnerabilities, governments and private operators are exploring new strategies to enhance resilience. This includes building additional cable routes through less volatile regions, improving international cooperation on cable protection, and expanding the role of low-Earth-orbit satellite systems as backup channels. Together, these measures could help ensure that global connectivity remains reliable despite growing threats.