Quick Overview
- Unidentified projectiles impacted AWS infrastructure in the UAE on Sunday, triggering fires and service interruptions
- Emergency responders disconnected electrical supply; an additional UAE zone experienced separate power complications
- Bahrain-based AWS facilities are experiencing both power supply and network connectivity challenges
- The timing aligns with Iranian military operations throughout the Gulf, though AWS hasn’t officially connected the events
- Users have been directed to alternative regional services, with full restoration anticipated within several hours
Amazon Web Services experienced significant operational disruptions following an incident Sunday where unidentified projectiles impacted a UAE-based data center facility, resulting in fire damage and complete power loss.
The event took place approximately 4:30 p.m. local Dubai time. Emergency fire services responded by cutting electrical power to the building to safely contain the flames.
Through its public-facing status dashboard, AWS documented the occurrence, noting that “objects struck the data center, creating sparks and fire” at one UAE availability zone.
Subsequently, a different UAE availability zone encountered what the company characterized as a “localized power issue,” further expanding the service disruption across the territory.
Additionally, the cloud computing division disclosed power delivery and network connectivity complications affecting one of its Bahrain zones.
AWS instructed clients to shift operations to facilities in alternative geographic regions during the restoration period. The organization indicated that full service recovery would require “multiple hours away.”
These disruptions occurred simultaneously with Iranian projectile strikes targeting the UAE, which formed part of broader retaliatory military actions across the Middle East following American and Israeli strikes that resulted in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and additional high-ranking Iranian officials.
Iran’s military response extended throughout the region, with missile and drone operations documented against American military installations and allied nations including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
AWS has neither confirmed nor disputed whether the damage to its UAE facility resulted directly from the Iranian military operations. Company representatives declined to provide additional commentary when approached for statement.
Impact on AWS UAE Client Base
Notable AWS enterprise clients operating within the UAE include Al Ghurair Investment LLC and Dubai Islamic Bank.
AWS maintains operations across 123 availability zones spanning 39 geographic regions worldwide, providing extensive international infrastructure — though this extensive distribution didn’t completely shield the organization from regional disruptions in this instance.
Restoration Efforts Continue
The organization initially reported partial restoration progress early Monday but subsequently revised that assessment, once again redirecting customers toward alternative regional facilities.
As of Monday morning in Dubai, both UAE availability zones along with one Bahrain zone continued experiencing service impacts.
Amazon stock (AMZN) showed positive movement, trading up 1.00% at the most recent market update.
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