Internet services across parts of Asia and the Middle East, including Pakistan, India, and Gulf states, have faced major disruptions following undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea. According to Microsoft’s Azure status page, the region may continue to experience increased latency, although global traffic not routed through the Red Sea remains unaffected. NetBlocks, a global watchdog monitoring internet connectivity, confirmed that multiple countries were impacted due to outages affecting the SMW4 and IMEWE submarine cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. These cables are critical communication lifelines, with SMW4 operated by Tata Communications and IMEWE managed by a consortium led by Alcatel Submarine Networks. Both companies have yet to issue official statements. In Pakistan, the national telecommunications authority acknowledged the cable damage, warning of possible slowdowns and disruptions. Meanwhile, users in the United Arab Emirates also reported sluggish internet speeds on state-owned Du and Etisalat networks, though authorities have not formally recognized the issue. NetBlocks noted that UAE services were experiencing intermittent access as engineers worked to stabilize connections. Speculation continues regarding the cause of the cuts. While accidental damage from ship anchors has historically been a common cause of undersea cable failures, recent tensions in the region have raised concerns about potential sabotage. Yemen’s government-in-exile previously accused Houthi rebels of plotting to damage submarine cables in the Red Sea, though the group has denied involvement. The ongoing conflict in Yemen, coupled with regional instability, has heightened fears about the vulnerability of vital internet infrastructure. Undersea cables remain the backbone of the global internet, carrying the majority of international data traffic. While service providers typically reroute data through alternate pathways to minimize disruption, users often experience slower speeds and intermittent outages until repairs are completed. Fixing damaged cables can take several weeks, depending on weather conditions and accessibility at sea. The recent disruptions highlight the fragile nature of global connectivity and the reliance of countries on a few key submarine cable routes. As the Red Sea continues to face geopolitical and security challenges, experts warn that further incidents could pose significant risks to digital communication across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.