Internet Returns in Afghanistan After Days-Long Blackout 

Internet services resumed in Afghanistan on Wednesday, following a days-long communication blackout across the country that fueled speculation the Taliban was cutting access to combat immorality, the BBC reported. 

Local reporters said the internet was resuming, with internet watchdog NetBlocks noting that network data showed a “partial restoration” of connectivity. 

Government officials confirmed Wednesday that “all communications” were restored by order of Taliban Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund. Hundreds poured in the streets of the capital Kabul to spread the word that the internet was back. 

On Monday, Afghanistan saw its internet services shut down, with NetBlocks claiming that the country was “now in the midst of a total Internet blackout.” 

The disruption crippled banking, telephone lines, travel, and aid operations in the country of more than 40 million people. 

Many Afghans living abroad complained that they could not contact their families, while aid organizations warned that the blackout was hindering their work.  

On Tuesday, the United Nations urged Taliban authorities “to immediately and fully restore nationwide Internet and telecommunications access.” 

The blackout came weeks after reports that the hardline Islamic group cut internet services in a number of provinces as part of Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada’s decree to combat purported immorality and “prevent vice,” Al Jazeera noted. 

However, the group on Wednesday denied that it was imposing a nationwide ban – its first public response since the blackout. Taliban authorities said the outages have been caused by old fiber optic cables that they are working to replace, NBC News wrote. 

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected claims that the government was banning the Internet and labeled them as rumors. 

Even so, the blackout prompted fears that Afghans would face further curbs in accessing the outside world and highlighted concerns about the Taliban rule since their return to power following the withdrawal of US-led troops from Afghanistan in 2021.  

The group has come under increased global condemnation for its treatment of women, including imposing restrictions on education and employment. At the same time, aid officials say that any internet shutdown would further isolate women in the country. 

Even so, the Islamist group has been trying to improve its relations with the West: Over the weekend, the Taliban released a US citizen from custody following a visit by Washington’s hostage envoy, according to Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty. 

The release came after US President Donald Trump demanded the return of the Bagram military base outside Kabul and threatened “bad things” would happen if it were not handed over. 

Afghan officials to date have refused.