Residents reported that internet and mobile phone services were cut off across Afghanistan on Tuesday, with no comment from authorities.

The Afghan government, led by the Taliban, had previously expressed concerns about pornographic websites and cut fiber optic connections in some provinces in recent weeks for “moral reasons.”

NetBlocks, an international internet access monitoring organization, said internet service was cut off in stages.

The watchdog added on its website that Afghanistan is now experiencing a complete internet blackout as government authorities seek to implement moral measures.

This is the first time communications have been cut off since 2021, while a government source told AFP that the outage will continue until further notice.

It added that between 8,000 and 9,000 communication poles in the country will be affected.

Meanwhile, a UN source said its operations have been affected and have resorted to limited wireless and satellite connections.

On September 16, the spokesperson for Balkh province (north) Attaullah Zaid announced a complete ban on fiber optic internet and network disconnection.

In 2024, Kabul announced that the fiber optic network deployed by previous authorities during the US invasion of the country at the beginning of the third millennium, spanning 9,350 kilometers, represents a priority to bring the country closer to the rest of the world and eradicate poverty.