Afghanistan Restores Internet After Two-Day Nationwide Blackout

Afghanistan's internet and mobile services have been reinstated after a two-day nationwide shutdown initiated by the Taliban government. The blackout, which began on September 29, 2025, severely disrupted daily life, affecting businesses, flights, and access to emergency services.

The Taliban attributed the outage to the deterioration of old fiber optic cables, stating they needed replacement. However, earlier statements from Taliban officials indicated that the shutdown aimed to prevent "immorality," with concerns over online content.

The United Nations expressed concern over the blackout, noting it left Afghanistan almost completely cut off from the outside world and risked inflicting significant harm on the Afghan people, including by threatening economic stability and exacerbating one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

The shutdown had a profound impact on Afghan women, many of whom rely on the internet for education and employment opportunities, especially after the Taliban imposed restrictions on women's education and work.

As services resume, the international community continues to monitor the situation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining open communication channels for the well-being and rights of Afghan citizens.