Amazon: Drone strikes damaged AWS data centers in Middle East

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Drone strikes and cyberattacks have become the new norm in the escalating conflict between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance. In a recent development, Amazon confirmed that three of its AWS data centers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and one in Bahrain were damaged by drone strikes, causing an extensive outage that is still affecting dozens of cloud computing services.

What Happened

The drone strikes, which are likely part of Iran's response to US-Israeli military action, have disrupted AWS Middle East (UAE) Region (ME-CENTRAL-1) and the AWS Middle East (Bahrain) Region (ME-SOUTH-1). Amazon stated that the attacks have caused physical impacts to infrastructure, with two facilities directly struck in the UAE and a drone strike in close proximity to one of its facilities in Bahrain.

In addition to the physical attacks, pro-Iranian actors have launched a barrage of cyberattacks aimed at causing economic and physical disruption. This wave of cyberattacks is part of a larger pattern of retaliation against US-Israeli military action.

Why It Matters

The escalation of cyberattacks and physical disruptions has significant implications for businesses and organizations operating in the Middle East region and beyond. As Operation Epic Fury continues to unfold, enterprises are facing a new layer of operational risk, with potential impacts on personnel, infrastructure, travel, and digital posture.

Key Facts

• Who: Amazon, Cloud Imperium Games, and pro-Iranian actors
• What: Drone strikes, cyberattacks, and data breaches
• When: Recent days and weeks
• Where: Middle East region, including UAE and Bahrain
• Impact: Disruptions to cloud computing services, data breaches, and potential economic and physical harm

What Experts Say

> "The immediate briefings from Washington are useful for understanding what is transpiring, but they do not account for the operational exposure that surfaces the moment hostilities begin." — [Source Name], Chief Risk Officer

Background

The conflict between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance has been escalating in recent weeks, with both sides engaging in military action and cyberattacks. The situation is complex and multifaceted, with various actors and interests involved.

Key Numbers

• 42%: The percentage of large enterprises in Germany that reported being affected by cyberattacks in 2025, according to a study by the ZEW
• $3.2 billion: The estimated cost of cyberattacks to businesses in 2025, according to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures

What Comes Next

As the situation continues to unfold, businesses and organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in managing their risk exposure. This includes validating assumptions, aligning organizational plans, and taking steps to protect personnel, infrastructure, and digital assets.