Microsoft Corporation announced on Saturday that customers of its Azure cloud platform may experience increased network latency due to the severance of multiple international cables in the Red Sea.
The company stated in an online status update that data transmission between Asia and Europe routing through the Middle East region is being affected, adding that its engineering teams are taking measures to mitigate the current situation. However, the notice did not specify how the cables were damaged.
"Submarine fiber repairs require time, so during this period, we will continue to monitor, rebalance, and optimize transmission paths to reduce impact on customers," Microsoft said.
The Red Sea serves as a crucial communication corridor connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia through Egypt. Due to ongoing attacks on vessels in the region by Yemen's Houthi forces, repairing submarine cables in the area may face significant challenges.