Meta paused the 2Africa cable's Gulf segment due to conflict-related safety risks, stranding a ship and delaying global internet infrastructure.

Meta has paused the Persian Gulf segment of its 2Africa undersea cable project due to escalating conflict in the region, citing safety risks. The French contractor Alcatel Submarine Networks issued force majeure, leaving its vessel stranded off Saudi Arabia. The delay affects a key section linking multiple Gulf nations and follows earlier disruptions in the Red Sea. While parts of the 45,000-kilometer cable are already laid, full completion is uncertain. The project, critical for global internet connectivity, highlights how geopolitical instability can disrupt vital digital infrastructure.