The Taliban cuts internet and phone services across Afghanistan, causing major disruption. Diplomatic and industry sources confirmed the outage on Tuesday. Residents and monitoring services reported a complete loss of connectivity. This blackout has affected flights, financial services, and communication systems.
The Taliban administration did not provide an immediate explanation for the outage. Authorities also did not respond to requests for comment. In response, the UN has urged the Taliban to restore services immediately. The UN emphasized that the disconnection could harm the Afghan people. “The cut in access has left Afghanistan almost completely cut off,” the UN warned.
In the past, the Taliban has expressed concerns over online pornography. Recently, they cut fibre-optic links in several provinces for this reason. The reasons for the current outage remain unclear. Afghanistan is already grappling with multiple challenges, such as the aftermath of a recent earthquake, the return of millions of refugees, and a drought in the north.
Afghan mobile phone providers have worked together to manage the situation. “We are following directives from the authorities,” one provider said. They hope the Taliban will allow services to resume soon.
NetBlocks, an international internet monitoring organization, reported that Afghanistan’s internet connectivity has fallen to nearly 1%. The disruptions occurred in phases, with the final stage affecting phone services, which share infrastructure with the internet. Tolo News reported that the Taliban set a one-week deadline to shut down 3G and 4G services. They will leave only 2G operational.
Private banks, including the central bank, have also faced disruptions. Kabul’s currency market has continued operating with outdated exchange rates. As a result, many Afghans are now isolated, unable to contact their families or access aid. Shabeer, who works at a private internet service provider, said, “We cannot communicate.”
Arafat Jamal, the country representative for the UN refugee agency, also raised concerns. He said the blackout had made it impossible to reach frontline aid workers. He called the disruption “utterly unnecessary” and warned it would worsen the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan.
The Taliban’s hardline policies have intensified. Recently, they stopped women working for the UN from entering its offices. Women have already faced bans from many jobs and high schools. The increasing restrictions on women’s rights have sparked widespread concern.
Sanam Kabiri, a women’s rights activist, condemned the Taliban’s actions. “What else do these ignorant men of another century want from our oppressed people?” she said. The Taliban have closed schools, universities, and recreational spaces for women, leaving many without access to education or work opportunities.
For many Afghan women, the internet provided a crucial lifeline. It allowed them to work from home, offering some financial independence. However, the Taliban’s recent shutdown has cut off this lifeline. The Taliban’s actions have deepened the isolation of the Afghan people, especially women who cannot leave their homes for work.
While the Taliban recently engaged with U.S. officials about American citizens detained in Afghanistan, these talks have not led to any change. The communications blackout and restrictions on women’s rights remain in place.
