KABUL – The Taliban have cut off fiber-optic internet services in Kabul, expanding a nationwide blackout that has already crippled connectivity across multiple provinces.
Residents of the capital told local media on Monday, September 29, that high-speed internet access was no longer available, leaving only limited mobile data in service.
Several internet service providers announced publicly that the suspension came due to a decision and order from Taliban authorities.
Sources confirmed to TOLOnews that the blackout began on Monday evening and has now affected the entire country. The broadcaster itself warned that the shutdown would severely disrupt its ability to continue operations.
The Taliban had already blocked fiber-optic services in western and northern provinces such as Herat, Balkh, and Kunduz earlier this month. Taliban officials claim the measures are aimed at curbing “immorality” and restricting access to what they call “harmful content.”
But residents and business owners say the move is devastating.
“We can’t process payments, we can’t send emails, even simple communication has become impossible,” said a Kabul shopkeeper, describing how mobile data, reduced to 2G speeds in many areas, barely supports messaging apps. Students also report losing access to online classes and international scholarships.
Rights groups have condemned the blackout as a violation of basic freedoms. Media watchdogs warn that the shutdown is also designed to silence independent reporting and cut Afghanistan off from the global community.
The blackout reflects the Taliban’s tightening grip over the population, extending their rigid interpretation of Sharia law into the digital sphere.
“This is not about morality—it is about control,” said one Kabul-based civil activist, who asked not to be named for safety reasons.
The nationwide suspension of fiber-optic internet comes as Afghanistan faces deepening economic and humanitarian crises, with observers warning that disconnecting millions from digital lifelines will deepen the country’s isolation.
