Microsoft Reports Azure Delays Due to Red Sea Fibre Cuts

Global tech giant Microsoft on 7 September confirmed that its Azure cloud computing platform experienced increased network delays in parts of the Middle East, caused by “undersea fibre cuts” in the Red Sea. The company did not specify what led to the damage but acknowledged that its network services were affected.

Impact on Global Connectivity

According to NetBlocks, an internet access monitoring organisation, the outages have degraded internet connectivity in several countries, including India and Pakistan. A series of submarine cable disruptions in the Red Sea has raised concern over global internet reliability.

Security Concerns in the Red Sea

Submarine cables generally follow shipping routes through the Red Sea, but fears have grown since late 2023, when Yemen’s Huthi rebels began attacking merchant vessels. The group claimed its actions were in solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza conflict, adding to risks for critical infrastructure in the region.

Geographical Significance of the Red Sea

The Red Sea is a narrow strip of water stretching southeastward from Suez, Egypt, for about 1,200 miles to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects to the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. It separates Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea on the west from Saudi Arabia and Yemen on the east.

Why It’s Called the Red Sea

Normally deep blue-green, the Red Sea occasionally appears reddish-brown due to blooms of the algae Trichodesmium erythraeum, which release pigments as they die off. This phenomenon gave the sea its distinctive name.