Afghanistan Faces Widespread Internet Blackout: Taliban Disrupts Connectivity by Cutting Fiber Optic Cables

The Taliban has recently implemented a nationwide shutdown of telecommunications in Afghanistan. This decision comes after they began cutting fiber-optic internet connections, claiming it’s to curb what they label as immorality. As a result, there is now a complete internet blackout in the country, according to internet watchdog Netblocks.

International news agencies have reported they can no longer communicate with their offices in Kabul. The disruption extends to mobile internet and satellite TV services, causing significant challenges for residents and businesses alike.

A Taliban official stated that the telecom shutdown would remain in effect indefinitely. Tolo News, an Afghan news outlet, advised its viewers to check social media for updates, hinting that their TV and radio broadcasts would also be affected.

Flight schedules have faced interruptions too. Flight tracking service Flightradar24 noted that at least eight flights to and from Kabul International Airport were canceled recently. Many in Kabul experienced a loss of internet service at around 5 PM local time, which means they may only realize the full extent of the disruption once banking and other services attempt to resume the next day.

Fiber-optic cables are crucial for fast data transfer, serving as a backbone for global internet connectivity. Recently, users in several provinces have voiced complaints about slow or nonexistent internet access. The Taliban has hinted at creating an alternative internet route, yet details remain vague.

Former 1TV editor Hamid Haidari remarked that the situation has led to a sense of isolation across the country. “Afghanistan is competing with North Korea in terms of internet disconnection,” he commented on social media.

The silence from Afghan voices online is striking. Mariam Solaimankhil, a former parliament member now in the U.S., shared her concerns on social media, highlighting how the absence of online discourse amplifies the sense of disconnection among Afghans.

This internet blackout is just one of many restrictions imposed since the Taliban regained control in 2021. Earlier this month, they banned books written by women from university courses and eliminated teaching on human rights and sexual harassment. Women and girls have been particularly impacted, as they are barred from education beyond age 12, a situation exacerbated by the recent cessation of midwifery courses.

As history shows, such government control over communication can have dire consequences. In the past, regimes that limited internet access often stifled dissent and suppressed information. The current situation in Afghanistan serves as a stark reminder of the critical role that open communication plays in ensuring freedom and democracy.

For more details on related developments and ongoing restrictions in Afghanistan, you can read about it here.

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