The Taliban Completely Shut Down the Internet in Afghanistan (3 photos)

According to preliminary reports, the Taliban has decided to combat the "immorality" that permeates the Internet.





Afghanistan has been completely cut off from the internet. Satellite TV and telephone service are also missing, according to the web monitoring service NetBlocks.

"Afghanistan is currently experiencing a complete internet shutdown. Several networks were phased out throughout the morning; telephone services are also currently affected," the service said in a statement.



NetBlocks attributes the countrywide internet shutdown to the Taliban's policy of "preventing immorality." The Taliban announced their plans two weeks ago. On September 18, by order of Afghan leader Heybatullah Akhundzada, broadband internet was shut down in 11 of 34 provinces. Following this, Kabul Airport began operating intermittently because passengers from Balkh, Takhar, Baghlan, and Badakhshan provinces were unable to confirm their tickets online. According to Izvestia, Kabul Airport canceled all flights today.

According to several publications citing government sources, Anokhzada ordered the creation of a new provider to provide internet access exclusively to government agencies and diplomatic missions.



It is noted that the UN mission in Afghanistan has appealed to the Taliban to restore internet access. The organization stated that restrictions on internet access further undermine freedom of expression and the right to information. They added that access to telecommunications is crucial during natural disasters, recalling the recent powerful earthquake in the eastern part of the country.