Nationwide Internet shutdown in Afghanistan extends localized disruptions
13 hours ago
- #Internet shutdown
- #Afghanistan
- #Taliban
- Afghanistan experienced a brief wired Internet service interruption on September 29, 2025, followed by a complete shutdown.
- Mobile Internet providers initially remained available but were later shut down as well.
- The shutdown impacted critical services like banking, customs, and emergency communications.
- Cloudflare data showed HTTP request traffic, DNS queries, and bytes transferred dropped to zero during the shutdown.
- Kabul's traffic fell slightly later than other regions, possibly due to Afghan Wireless' gradual traffic loss.
- Announced IPv4 and IPv6 address space dropped significantly, with only a few networks remaining partially connected.
- The Taliban ordered regional shutdowns in mid-September to prevent 'immoral activities,' affecting 15 provinces.
- Provinces like Balkh, Takhar, Kandahar, Baghlan, Nangarhar, Oruzgan, and Herat experienced varying levels of disruption.
- Herat faced 'Internet curfew' shutdowns, disrupting business and education during specific hours.
- Analysts warn the shutdown could deepen Afghanistan's digital isolation and harm its struggling economy.