RED SEA UNDERSEA CABLE CUT DISRUPTS INTERNET IN ASIA
Context
- On September 7, 2025, A series of undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea led to significant internet disruptions across several countries, including India, Pakistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
- Regions Affected: India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and parts of the Middle East and Asia
- The incident has raised concerns over the security of critical global digital infrastructure, especially amid regional conflicts involving Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
WHAT HAPPENED?
- Multiple undersea internet cables were severed in the Red Sea, specifically near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- Affected cable systems include:
- SMW-4 (South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4) – operated by Tata Communications (India).
- IMEWE (India–Middle East–Western Europe) – managed by a consortium led by Alcatel Submarine Networks.
- FALCON (operated by GCX) – also affected near Kuwait.
- Microsoft Azure confirmed increased latency in the Middle East.
- NetBlocks, an internet monitoring group, reported widespread connectivity degradation.
- Pakistan Telecommunications Co. Ltd. and Kuwaiti authorities acknowledged the disruptions.
- UAE users on Du and Etisalat also experienced slower connections.
WHAT ARE UNDERSEA CABLES?
- Undersea (subsea) cables are fiber-optic cables laid along the ocean floor that carry over 95% of global internet and data traffic.
- They are essential for international communication, finance, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
- Typically, internet traffic is rerouted via alternative cables if one is damaged, but this causes latency (delays) and slower speeds.
CAUSES OF DAMAGE
| Type | Description |
| Accidental | Ship anchors, earthquakes, natural wear |
| Intentional | Sabotage or targeting in geopolitical conflicts |
| Unknown | No official confirmation on cause in current incident |
- The Houthis have previously been accused of plotting attacks on undersea cables, though they denied responsibility.
- In this case, a dragged anchor by a ship attacked earlier by Houthis may have caused the cuts.
- Yemen’s internationally recognized government blamed the Houthi militia
GEOPOLITICAL CONTEXT
Red Sea as a Strategic Chokepoint:
- The Red Sea connects the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal—a vital route for global trade and data.
- From late 2023 to 2024, Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted over 100 ships using missiles and drones in protest of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
- The U.S., Israel, and allies responded with airstrikes.
- The Iran-backed Houthis have sunk four vessels and killed at least eight mariners so far.
POTENTIAL MOTIVATIONS
- Pressure tactics against Israel and Western interests
- Disruption of maritime and digital infrastructure as a form of asymmetric warfare
- Strain on S.–Iran nuclear negotiations and regional stability
WHY IT MATTERS?
| Sector | Impact |
| Cybersecurity | Exposed vulnerabilities in global internet infrastructure |
| Digital Economy | Slower internet and disruptions to services like cloud computing |
| Geopolitical Risk | Risk of escalation involving multiple actors (Houthis, U.S., Iran, Israel) |
| India’s Interest | Indian networks and cloud services were directly affected; emphasizes need for diversified digital routing |
STATEMENTS & REACTIONS
- Yemeni Government (in exile): Blamed Houthi militia directly, calling for international protection of digital infrastructure.
- Houthis (via al-Masirah TV): Acknowledged the cable cuts but denied responsibility.
Conclusion
The Red Sea cable disruption highlights the growing interdependence between digital infrastructure and geopolitical stability. For countries like India that are increasingly digitally integrated, the incident underscores the urgent need to: Strengthen cyber-infrastructure security, Diversify international internet routing pathways, Collaborate diplomatically to protect shared digital commons.
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