Internet Across Afghanistan Shut Down

Internet access in Afghanistan was phased out over several weeks, and by the evening of Monday, September 29, the entire country was offline, Orda.kz reports, citing The BBC.

According to the monitoring group NetBlocks, the Taliban systematically disabled communications under the pretext of “combating immorality.” Officials have claimed they plan to introduce unspecified “alternative access channels,” but have not provided any details.

Fiber-optic internet has been shut off in Kabul, which has also disrupted mobile service and satellite television.

The blackout has affected transportation as well: several flights were canceled at the capital’s airport. Local businesses warn they could suffer major losses if the shutdown continues.

Former 1TV editor-in-chief Hamid Haidari commented that Afghanistan has now “officially become the world leader in internet shutdowns, even surpassing North Korea.”

Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed increasingly strict policies on education and civil rights.

They are enforcing their interpretation of Sharia law, with many restrictions targeting women. Women are prohibited from visiting parks and markets, working for NGOs, appearing in public without a face covering, or speaking or socializing publicly.

Original Author: Raushan Korzhumbekova