Afghanistan Faces Communications Blackout as Taliban Cuts Internet and Mobile Services

What's Happening?

Afghans are living under a near-complete communications blackout after Taliban authorities cut internet and mobile phone services for a second day. The former insurgents, who retook control of Afghanistan in 2021, began gradual restrictions on internet access earlier this month. High-speed connections to some provinces were cut to 'prevent immorality,' on the orders of the supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada. The blackout has sparked panic in a country already grappling with a humanitarian crisis. The UN mission to Afghanistan warned the disconnection risks inflicting significant harm on the Afghan people, including by threatening economic stability.

Why It's Important?

The communications blackout in Afghanistan has significant implications for the country's economy and society. The disconnection risks inflicting significant harm on the Afghan people, threatening economic stability and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The blackout is expected to hit women especially hard, as many had turned to online education as their last chance to study after sweeping bans on in-person schooling. The UN mission to Afghanistan warned the disconnection risks inflicting significant harm on the Afghan people, including by threatening economic stability.

What's Next?

The UN mission to Afghanistan has called on the Taliban regime to restore internet access, warning that the blackout risks inflicting significant harm on the Afghan people. The Taliban leader reportedly ignored warnings from some officials about the economic fallout of cutting the internet, and ordered authorities to press ahead with a nationwide ban. The UN mission said operations are severely impacted, falling back to radio communications and limited satellite links.

Beyond the Headlines

The communications blackout in Afghanistan is expected to hit women especially hard, as many had turned to online education as their last chance to study after sweeping bans on in-person schooling. The UN mission to Afghanistan warned the disconnection risks inflicting significant harm on the Afghan people, including by threatening economic stability. The Taliban leader reportedly ignored warnings from some officials about the economic fallout of cutting the internet, and ordered authorities to press ahead with a nationwide ban.