Microsoft Cloud Services Disrupted by Red Sea Cable Cuts

Microsoft’s Azure cloud services faced disruptions due to undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea, the company said, BBC News reported.

Subsea cables, which carry data between continents, are often described as the internet’s backbone. (Image: Microsoft Azure Facebook) 

Users of Azure—one of the world’s largest cloud platforms—experienced delays caused by issues with internet traffic routing through the Middle East. While Microsoft did not specify the cause of the damage, it said traffic had been rerouted through alternate paths.

Over the weekend, reports suggested undersea cable cuts had also impacted connectivity in the United Arab Emirates and parts of Asia.

Subsea cables, which carry data between continents, are often described as the internet’s backbone.

In an update posted Saturday, Microsoft said Azure traffic passing through the Middle East “may experience increased latency due to undersea fiber cuts in the Red Sea,” though traffic not routed through the region was unaffected.