Dubai: A section of the fiber optic cable passing through the Red Sea has broken, causing internet connectivity issues worldwide.
According to NetBlocks, users in India, Pakistan, and parts of the Middle East are facing disruptions due to damage to the cable system.
The organization reported problems with the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
ℹ️ Update: Meanwhile similar internet disruptions have been observed on Etilasat and Du networks in the United Arab Emirates, resulting in slow speeds and intermittent access as engineers work to resolve the issue impacting multiple countries pic.twitter.com/hEYIi4G6hj
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) September 7, 2025
The exact cause of the fiber cable breakage is still unclear. Natural events or accidental actions can damage cables. Sometimes, anchors can drag and cause breaks. When a ship drops a heavy anchor into the sea, if it doesn’t hold properly, it can move and potentially snag underwater cables.
Yemeni Houthi rebels have warned that should Israeli attacks on Palestine continue, they will cut cables in the sea. This raises suspicions that the Houthis might be involved in the current cable incident.
Where is the Red Sea route?
The Red Sea route is a critical link for trade between Europe and Asia. Ships from Europe reach the Red Sea through the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal and then proceed to the Arabian Sea through Bab el Mandeb Strait near Yemen. Approximately 385 cargo ships travel this route daily.
