Severed cables in the Red Sea have slowed internet connections in Asia and the Middle East.

Severed underwater cables in the Red Sea have led to internet disruptions in India, Pakistan, and the Middle East. The incident occurred due to the swift actions of the Houthis in the region.

Internet disruptions due to the Red Sea incident

The cable damage became known on Sunday, September 7, 2025, when experts noted that “the cutting of the underwater cable disrupted internet connectivity in East Asian and Middle Eastern countries.” The details of the incident have not been fully clarified, but it is assumed that the cables may have been targeted by Houthi attacks, who are trying to pressure Israel in response to events in the Gaza Strip.

On Sunday morning, the Houthi satellite channel “Al-Masirah” confirmed the cutting of the cables, citing data from the company NetBlocks.

Causes of the incident

Sources indicate that the Houthi operation in the Red Sea is part of their long-term strategy. Underwater cables, which play a key role in global connectivity, become vulnerable in military conflict conditions.

Thus, the Houthis’ plans are linked to the desire to discredit Israel and demonstrate their own power. Their attacks focus on critical infrastructures.

Internet access issues

Underwater cables are crucial data transmission channels alongside satellites and terrestrial connections. In case of malfunctions, providers often reroute traffic through alternative paths, which slows down internet speed.

Microsoft announced that cable issues in the Red Sea could cause delays in internet resources in the Middle East. However, traffic not passing through this region was not affected.

Situation analysis

NetBlocks reports significant internet access disruptions for users in India and Pakistan, particularly affecting the SMW4 and IMEWE cable networks. The operation is led by Tata Communications and the Alcatel-Lucent consortium, but neither company has commented on the incident yet.

Pakistan Telecommunications Co. Ltd noted that the interruptions began on Saturday. The Saudi Arabian authorities did not immediately report the disruptions, and no comment has been received from them.

Loss of internet connection in the UAE

Internet users of state operators Du and Etisalat in the United Arab Emirates also experience reduced speed. However, the government has not commented on the situation.

Possible consequences

The reason for the cable cutting may lie in the actions of ships dropping anchors or in deliberate attacks. Repairing the damaged infrastructure may take weeks, as it requires a ship and a corresponding crew capable of carrying out the necessary work.

Conflict context

In early 2024, the Yemeni government in exile announced plans by the Houthis to attack underwater cables. These concerns are supported by a number of previous incidents where cables were indeed damaged, although the Houthis did not claim responsibility.

Attacks on maritime objects

From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis have already shelled more than a hundred ships during the war with Israel and Hamas. As a result of their actions, four ships were sunk, and at least eight sailors died.

Supported by Iran, the Houthis temporarily ceased attacks during a brief ceasefire. However, they later intensified their actions, becoming the target of air reactions from Israel.

Earlier, there were reports of massive strikes on strategic targets in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, aimed at neutralizing the possibility of further attacks by the Houthis.