AWS Cannot Restore Data Held Only in Damaged Middle East Availability Zones

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Published: 2026-09-21T09:43:03.653Z • Permanent link

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has informed its customers that it cannot restore data held exclusively in the mec1-az2 availability zone in the UAE, or exclusively in the Bahrain region, after damage during the conflict with Iran. This statement comes after a series of concerns raised by several major financial institutions and research organizations about the security and integrity of their data stored in these regions. AWS has assured customers that it is working diligently to assess the full extent of the damage and to identify solutions to mitigate the impact on their operations.

According to sources, the mec1-az2 availability zone in the UAE was damaged during a missile strike in late February, resulting in significant downtime for multiple organizations relying on the zone for critical business operations. The strike, which was attributed to Iran, has left the region in a state of heightened tension and has raised concerns about the security of data stored in the affected zones. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but it is clear that the incident has significant implications for organizations relying on AWS services.

Multiple sources close to the matter have confirmed that AWS has informed several major financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, about the damage to the mec1-az2 availability zone. These institutions have been using the zone to store sensitive data, including customer information and financial records, and are now facing significant challenges in restoring access to this data. AWS has assured these institutions that it is working to restore access to the affected zones as quickly as possible, but the timeline for this process remains uncertain.

The incident highlights the growing concern among organizations about the security and integrity of their data stored in cloud-based services. As more and more organizations move their data to the cloud, the risk of data breaches and downtime increases. The incident also raises questions about the adequacy of AWS's disaster recovery procedures and the measures in place to protect customer data in the event of a disaster.

The impact of the incident is likely to be felt across a range of industries, including finance, healthcare, and government. Research organizations, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), have been relying on AWS services to store sensitive data, including research findings and customer information. The incident could also have implications for the broader policy environment, as governments and regulatory bodies begin to take a closer look at the security and integrity of cloud-based services.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of disruptions to cloud-based services in the Middle East. In recent years, the region has seen a number of high-profile cyberattacks, including the hacking of several major financial institutions. The region's fragile security infrastructure and lack of international cooperation have made it a hotspot for cyber threats, and the incident highlights the need for greater investment in cybersecurity measures.