Afghanistan’s Taliban cut internet access in several provinces
Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities expanded their crackdown on internet access Wednesday, severing fibre optic connections in multiple provinces in what officials said was a campaign against “vice”.
The move, ordered by Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, has effectively shut down high-speed internet in several regions over two days, leaving tens of thousands without access and sparking concern among locals.
In northern Balkh province, fibre optic internet was completely banned on the leader’s orders, provincial spokesman Attaullah Zaid said Tuesday.
“This measure was taken to prevent vice, and alternative options will be put in place across the country to meet connectivity needs,” he wrote on X.
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An AFP correspondent confirmed that internet access in Balkh was now only possible via the telephone network, which is disrupted with all operators affected.
AFP correspondents reported the same restrictions in the northern provinces of Badakhshan and Takhar, as well as in Kandahar, Helmand and Uruzgan in the south.
Government spokespersons and the Ministry of Telecommunications did not immediately respond to AFP’s requests for comment.
Fibre optic is the most widely used technology in Afghanistan, an employee of a private operator in Kabul told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that he was unaware of the reasons behind the measure.
“If these connection problems are not resolved, we will suffer great losses,” said Atta Mohammed, a marble contractor in Kandahar.
“If we don’t respond to emails from our clients in Dubai and India on time, we won’t be able to continue our business. I haven’t slept a wink.”
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