Amazon Web Services (AWS) CEO Matt Garman confirmed that technical teams are working continuously to maintain cloud infrastructure in the Middle East after drone strikes damaged data centers in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, though dozens of services remain unavailable.
CEO's Round-the-Clock Restoration Efforts
Garman stated at the HumanX conference in San Francisco on Tuesday that the situation is challenging, with teams working "incredibly hard" and 24/7 to ensure infrastructure remains operational for regional customers. He emphasized AWS's commitment to supporting clients amid the disruptions.
Ongoing Service Disruptions
According to AWS's official status page:
- Dozens of AWS services in Bahrain and the UAE are listed as unavailable.
- The outages affect cloud computing and AI-dependent operations in these locations.
Geopolitical Context and Response
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Navy (IRGC Navy) claimed it targeted Amazon data center infrastructure in Bahrain.
- Amazon previously declined to comment on the attack, maintaining a neutral stance on geopolitical allegations.
Energy Cost Implications
- Data centers, especially those housing chips for generative AI models, consume significant energy.
- Energy expenses have risen since the conflict escalated in February, increasing operational costs for infrastructure in the region.
