After the CHP protests, Turkey imposed heavy internet restrictions that crippled social media and messaging apps. But there’s another twist—an undersea cable cut in the Red Sea also weakened the country’s already fragile connection. The SMW3 cable, reportedly targeted by the Houthis, went offline. So now, on top of political throttling, Turkey is also dealing with a global internet breakdown.
Protest Aftermath and Nationwide Blockages
Following the protests at the CHP Provincial Headquarters, massive restrictions hit the internet. People couldn’t even log into WhatsApp. X, Instagram, Facebook, and even Telegram became completely inaccessible. Communication in Turkey suddenly felt like it had gone back to the age of carrier pigeons, pushing people to search for alternative methods.
The Red Sea Cable Cut
But politics wasn’t the only culprit. The world’s internet lifeline—undersea fiber-optic cables—took a serious hit in the Red Sea. Reports claim the Houthis dragged ship anchors across the seabed, snapping the SMW3 cable that also carries traffic to Turkey. Already throttled by restrictions, Turkey’s digital lifeline was dealt another heavy blow.
How Turkey Connects to the World
Turkey is plugged into the global web through three main arteries: SMW3, SMW4, and MEDNA cables that run under seas and land. The SMW3 damage added strain to the network, making things worse at a time when access was already near-impossible due to state-imposed limits.
What Experts Say About the Impact
A few hours after the incident, Microsoft issued a statement, noting that countries connected through the MEDNA cable—mainly Western Europe and Eurasia—would remain online, though heavy traffic could slow speeds. The real question, however, is how badly Turkey will feel the loss of SMW3. With internet throttling already in place, the blackout feels almost indistinguishable.
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