Brief
On Monday, the Taliban imposed a nationwide shutdown of internet and telecom services in Afghanistan, leading to a severe communication blackout. This drastic action has prompted warnings from the United Nations about the potential harm to the Afghan population.
Reports indicate that the shutdown followed the disabling of Afghanistan’s extensive fiber optic network, affecting air travel, banking services, and cutting off millions of citizens from vital connections. All commercial flights at Kabul International Airport have been either canceled or listed as “unknown,” leaving the airport nearly deserted.
Insight
Monitoring group NetBlocks confirmed that internet traffic dropped to about one percent of normal levels, highlighting the unprecedented scale of the disruption. The Taliban has not provided a clear reason for this action, stating only that the suspension would continue “until further notice.”
As connectivity fell, the Taliban ordered a phased approach to the blackout. This included dismantling fiber optic networks in many provinces. Officials have justified the move as a means to eliminate what they describe as immoral content online, echoing claims made by various provincial governors. Afghan telecom companies, under Taliban directives, are trying to navigate this complex situation and are hopeful for a prompt restoration of services.
Meanwhile, authorities have set a one-week deadline to downgrade mobile internet services, limiting access to only 2G, while leaving 3G and 4G services inactive.
The UN mission in Afghanistan has called for the immediate restoration of services, stressing that the blackout has left the country nearly isolated and could significantly impact humanitarian efforts. A representative from the UN refugee agency expressed concern that frontline aid workers, particularly those assisting in response to a recent earthquake, are now unreachable due to these communication barriers.
