It can take weeks for repairs to be made, as a ship and crew must locate themselves over the damaged cable.
On September 7, 2025, undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea caused significant internet disruptions across parts of Asia and the Middle East. The incident affected major cable systems, including the South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 (SMW4) and India-Middle East-Western Europe (IMEWE) cables near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, leading to slower internet speeds and intermittent access in countries like India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates.
The cause of the cable cuts remains unclear, but experts suggest a commercial ship’s anchor may have accidentally severed the lines, a common cause of such incidents. The International Cable Protection Committee noted that 15 submarine cables pass through the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait, making them vulnerable to damage. Repairs could take weeks, as specialized ships must locate and fix the damaged cables.
There has been speculation about Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting the cables as part of their campaign to pressure Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. However, the Houthis have denied involvement, as they did in a similar incident in 2024.