Four fiber optic cables were severed

Four undersea fiber-optic cables near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, were severed, causing widespread internet disruptions across Asia and the Middle East.

Incident Overview

On September 6, 2025, multiple submarine fiber-optic cables, including the SMW4 (Southeast Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4) and IMEWE (India–Middle East–Western Europe) systems, were severed near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, leading to significant connectivity issues across countries such as India, Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait . These cables are part of a critical digital corridor that carries an estimated 17% of global internet traffic, linking Asia, Europe, and Africa .

Impact on Connectivity

The cable cuts caused noticeable slowdowns and increased latency for internet users in the affected regions. Major telecom providers like Etisalat and Du in the UAE issued advisories acknowledging service disruptions, while cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure reported higher latency for traffic routed through the Middle East, though services remained operational via alternative routes . In Kuwait, the FALCON cable was directly impacted, affecting local connectivity .

Causes and Vulnerabilities

Investigations suggest the cuts were likely caused by commercial shipping activity, such as ships dropping or dragging anchors across the cables . The Red Sea is a densely trafficked maritime corridor, making undersea cables vulnerable despite protective armoring and burial. Globally, submarine cables experience around 200 faults annually, with ship anchors accounting for 70% of incidents . While some reports have raised concerns about potential geopolitical motives, including regional conflicts, no definitive evidence has confirmed deliberate sabotage in this case .

Repair and Mitigation

Repairing undersea cables is complex and time-consuming, requiring specialized ships to locate the fault, lift the cable, and perform splicing operations. Network operators often reroute traffic through alternative paths to minimize disruption, but full restoration can take days depending on the severity and location of the damage .

Significance

These incidents highlight the critical vulnerability of global internet infrastructure, as undersea cables carry over 95% of intercontinental data traffic. Even minor disruptions can have cascading effects on cloud services, financial transactions, and everyday internet usage across multiple countries . In summary, the severing of these four fiber-optic cables near Jeddah has caused regional internet slowdowns, increased latency, and highlighted the fragility of undersea digital infrastructure, with repairs underway and traffic rerouted to maintain connectivity .