Afghanistan Internet Shutdowns Deepen Humanitarian and Rights Crisis

Afghanistan is grappling with a nationwide internet and mobile service blackout that has disrupted daily life, humanitarian operations, and access to basic rights. While Taliban officials deny deliberately cutting services, telecom firms and rights groups say the shutdown was ordered, raising fears over growing restrictions on communication.

According to Arab News, Taliban authorities have claimed the disruption stems from technical work to replace outdated fiber-optic cables rather than a political decision. However, telecom companies told Khaama Press they were instructed to suspend services, saying they are only “managing” the order. The blackout, they confirmed, has affected both mobile and fiber networks, leaving millions unable to access banking, transportation, or government services.

The shutdown has had particularly severe humanitarian consequences. The United Nations, also cited by Khaama Press, warned that earthquake relief efforts in remote provinces have been severely hindered, with aid groups unable to coordinate rescue missions or deliver emergency supplies without internet connectivity. Flight operations in Kabul were also disrupted, complicating relief logistics further.

Human Rights Watch reported that the blackouts, which began in mid-September and spread nationwide by the end of the month, are imperilling education, healthcare, and livelihoods. The group noted that women and girls—already restricted from schools and many jobs under Taliban decrees—have lost access to online classes and remote work opportunities. Journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens have also been cut off from independent news sources and communication with the outside world.

Observers warn that the blackout reflects a broader pattern of digital repression under the Taliban. Since returning to power in 2021, the group has tightened control over media, restricted protests, and curtailed women’s rights. Cutting off internet access, rights advocates say, risks isolating Afghanistan even further and depriving its people of tools crucial for survival in an economic and humanitarian crisis.

The shutdown has come at a critical moment: Afghanistan is facing rising poverty, mass unemployment, and a surge in displacement. For many, digital access had remained one of the last lifelines to education, healthcare, aid, and family support abroad.