Internet Disruptions In Asia Linked To Undersea Cable Cuts Amid Houthi Attacks

Internet access in parts of Asia, including India, faced disruptions due to undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea. Experts noted that the incident affected connectivity in multiple countries. The cause of the disruption remains unclear, though there are concerns about potential targeting by Yemen's Houthi rebels. These rebels have been involved in a campaign related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

NetBlocks, an organisation monitoring internet access, reported that subsea cable outages degraded connectivity in several countries, including India and Pakistan. They attributed these issues to failures affecting the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Tata Communications operates the South East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 4 cable, while Alcatel-Lucent oversees the India-Middle East-Western Europe cable.

Impact on Internet Services

In the United Arab Emirates, users on state-owned networks Du and Etisalat experienced slower internet speeds. However, the government did not immediately acknowledge this disruption. Similarly, Saudi Arabian authorities did not respond to requests for comment regarding the situation. Microsoft mentioned increased latency in West Asia due to these undersea fiber cuts but clarified that traffic outside West Asia remained unaffected.

The Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel confirmed that these cuts occurred. The Houthis have previously denied responsibility for attacking undersea cables despite allegations from Yemen's internationally recognised government-in-exile. This government had accused them of planning such attacks as part of their ongoing conflict with Israel over Gaza.

Houthi Rebels' Campaign

From November 2023 to December 2024, Houthi rebels targeted over 100 ships with missiles and drones amid their campaign against Israel over Gaza. Their actions resulted in sinking four vessels and killing at least eight mariners. Despite a brief ceasefire during which they halted attacks, they later faced intense airstrikes ordered by US President Donald Trump before a ceasefire was declared.

The Houthis resumed attacks amidst discussions of a new possible ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Meanwhile, talks between the US and Iran regarding Tehran's nuclear programme remain uncertain after Israel launched a 12-day war against Iran. During this conflict, American forces bombed three Iranian atomic sites.

The recent incidents highlight ongoing tensions in the region and their impact on global communications infrastructure. As geopolitical conflicts continue to unfold, ensuring stable internet connectivity remains a challenge for affected countries and companies involved in maintaining these vital connections.