Taliban Enacts Nationwide Internet Blackout, Raising Alarm Among Afghans
Afghanistan has plunged into a significant internet blackout as the ruling Taliban announced drastic measures to curb what they deem “immoral activities.” This sweeping cut in communication has ignited concerns about the increasing isolation of millions living under the Taliban’s stringent regime. Analysts from internet monitoring organization NetBlocks reported late Monday night that numerous networks have been disconnected across the country of 43 million. The interruptions also affected telephone services, culminating in what they termed a “total internet blackout.”
Afghans residing abroad have reported difficulty reaching family members within the country. Specifically, flight data indicated that multiple incoming flights to Kabul were canceled shortly after the blackout commenced on Tuesday morning. “As of yesterday, there’s been no contact with anyone,” stated Mohammad Hadi, a 30-year-old Afghan expatriate in India. “This situation is causing immense panic; we can’t ascertain if our loved ones are safe.” Hadi emphasized the deep disruption this communication barrier has caused: “Everything is intertwined, and we previously could at least make a call.”
Media Operations Affected by Internet Shutdown
The impact of the blackout stretches beyond personal communications; it has severely hindered media operations as well. Kabul-based Tolo News TV reported that its activities were profoundly impacted, while both the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse expressed frustrations over their inability to reach their bureaus in Kabul. This blackout represents one of the most coordinated telecommunications shutdowns since the Taliban regained control in 2021, leading to fears of a return to the strict limits on mass communication that occurred in their previous rule.
Understanding the Reasons Behind the Internet Disruption
The extent and rationale behind this significant internet outage remain unclear. Attempts to contact Taliban officials through messaging applications were unsuccessful, and no official statements have been issued regarding the blackout. Earlier in the month, Taliban representatives warned of future internet restrictions to combat what they called immoral activities. Haji Zaid, the governor of Balkh province, mentioned that an “alternative system” would be introduced for essential communications, but specifics on what constitutes “immoral activities” were not provided. This order reportedly originated from Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban’s elusive supreme leader.
Personal Stories of Disconnection Amid a Humanitarian Crisis
The human cost of this disconnection is evident in the accounts of individuals like Wahida Faizi, an Afghan journalist based in Denmark. “It feels like a lifetime since the internet was cut in Afghanistan,” said Faizi. “Every evening, hearing my parents’ voices was a source of comfort. We often took our previous internet access for granted, but now those simple video calls feel like a precious blessing.”
Activists warn that the repercussions of this blackout are particularly severe given Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian crisis since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. As the regime has barred girls from attending school beyond grade six, many families relied on online education provided by overseas instructors or charitable organizations. With the internet now disabled, these educational opportunities are at risk.
The Wider Impact on Afghan Rights and Communications
Sabena Chaudhry, the communications manager for Women for Afghan Women (WAW), underscored the dire implications of this blackout. “This is silencing millions of Afghans and cutting them off from the outside world.” Chaudhry, based in New York, indicated that they have lost contact with their team members within Afghanistan, emphasizing the chilling effect of the Taliban’s governance.
A report by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) noted that the Taliban has systematically violated human rights, particularly targeting women and girls. Mariam Solaimankhil, a member of the former Afghan government now in exile, expressed her despair online: “The absence of Afghan voices is deafening. Our people are being isolated, leaving the world in darkness.” She called for action against censorship, urging support for technologies like Starlink, although the service is currently unavailable in Afghanistan.
This unprecedented blackout not only raises alarms about the safety of Afghans but also underscores a larger trend of increasing suppression of free expression and access to information in the country. The repercussions of this digital isolation are not just local; they reverberate through the global Afghan diaspora, cutting off vital connections in times of need.
