The Taliban government in Afghanistan has denied reports of a country-wide internet ban, attributing disruptions to the replacement of deteriorating fiber optic cables. This marks their first official response to the communications blackout affecting sectors like banking and aviation.
Several provinces previously acknowledged internet shutdowns following a decree by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada to address perceived moral issues. Taliban officials refuted claims of an internet ban, clarifying in a brief statement to Pakistani journalists via WhatsApp that the disruptions were due to the replacement of aging infrastructure.
Maruf Nabizada, now residing in the Netherlands, relies on internet communication to stay connected with family in western Herat province. The ongoing blackout has left his family offline, causing distress and uncertainty about their well-being. Nabizada expressed concern over the potential long-lasting impact of the shutdown on their ability to communicate.
The outage, initially reported by Netblocks, has significantly impacted internet connectivity and telephone services nationwide, including in the capital, Kabul. This disruption led to the cancellation of multiple flights at Kabul airport, affecting both domestic and international travel.
Humanitarian organizations have highlighted the challenges posed by the blackout, emphasizing the critical need for restored communications to facilitate aid delivery and coordination efforts. Save the Children stressed the importance of reliable communication for their operations and the delivery of life-saving assistance.
As the situation unfolds, there are growing calls for the restoration of internet and telecommunications services across Afghanistan to mitigate the adverse effects on various sectors and ensure vital connections are reestablished.
