On Monday evening, September 29, the Taliban shut down Afghanistan’s internet and mobile networks, plunging the country into a communication blackout and grounding all international flights.
Afghanistan Isolated from the World
On Monday evening, September 29, the Taliban cut off internet and mobile communications. NetBlocks reported a gradual loss of signal, falling below 1% of normal activity, and by Tuesday the country had a practical communication blackout. A government spokesman said the shutdown would last “until revoked” and would affect banking, customs and the entire nation. Social media sites and apps were also blocked, cutting many international institutions off from their Kabul offices.
Flights Grounded, Airport Plagued
FlightRadar24 noted that on Tuesday, September 30, all international flights to Afghanistan were cancelled and the status of many other connections was marked “unknown.” An airport resident told the BBC that the Kabul airport was almost empty, with no planes taking off or landing, and a passenger learning that flights could resume only on Thursday.
Communications Cut Affects Daily Life
Without phones and internet, everyday life furrowed. Shops, banks and offices operated only partially, and many Afghans lost work. “All our business relies on phones. Deliveries are organized by mobiles. It feels like a holiday—everyone sits at home, the market is shut,” said 42‑year‑old Kabul shopkeeper Najibullah. Women and girls who had previously been able to study online were now completely deprived of education. “I have no way to learn. When I heard the internet was cut, the world seemed dark,” said a student quoted by BBC.
Taliban Justify Block as Moral Campaign
The Taliban have been restricting internet access in certain provinces for weeks; on September 16 the Balochistan authorities admitted the exclusions were meant to prevent “incidents.” No official statement addressed the nationwide cut yet. NetBlocks reports that Afghanistan is now “in the centre of a total internet block as part of the Taliban moral campaign.” This is the first time since the 2021 takeover that talibans have shut down the entire country’s communications. Some media speculate that the authorities might consider alternatives, perhaps a censored version of the network.
