Afghanistan has experienced a comprehensive nationwide internet blackout, according to reports from multiple independent internet monitoring organizations. The disruption, which began early Monday, September 29, 2025, has left millions without access to online services and critical communications.
NetBlocks, a global internet observatory, confirmed a significant drop in connectivity indicators across the country. “Our data shows a near-total collapse of internet traffic across all major providers within Afghanistan, starting at approximately 01:00 AM local time,” a spokesperson for NetBlocks stated. Access Now, a digital rights organization, corroborated these findings, noting that their on-the-ground sources also reported a complete lack of internet and cellular data services.
The scale of the outage is highly unusual for Afghanistan, which has faced localized disruptions and government-imposed restrictions in the past, but rarely a sustained, nationwide disconnection of this magnitude. The country relies heavily on a limited number of internet service providers, making its infrastructure vulnerable to widespread outages.
Impact on Citizens and Aid Efforts
The sudden loss of connectivity has created an immediate information vacuum. Citizens are unable to access news, communicate with family members abroad, or utilize online services essential for daily life, including banking and educational platforms. Humanitarian organizations operating within Afghanistan are also facing severe challenges in coordinating aid efforts and communicating with field staff in remote areas.
“The uniformity of the outage across all major providers strongly suggests either a centralized control action or a catastrophic failure at a fundamental level,” commented Alp Toker, Director of NetBlocks. “Without official explanation, the implications for information access and human rights are deeply concerning.”
The economic impact of such a widespread blackout is expected to be substantial, affecting businesses that rely on digital transactions, international trade, and online communication to operate.
Official Response and Potential Causes
As of midday Monday, there has been no official statement from the Afghan authorities regarding the cause of the blackout or a timeline for its restoration. Attempts to reach spokespersons for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology have been unsuccessful, with contact numbers also appearing to be affected by the outage.
While the exact cause remains unconfirmed, analysts are considering several possibilities. These include a deliberate government-mandated shutdown, a major technical failure impacting core infrastructure, or even an external attack on critical network components. The comprehensive nature of the disruption suggests either a highly coordinated action or a systemic failure.
The ongoing internet blackout plunges Afghanistan further into isolation at a critical time, raising urgent questions about freedom of information, digital rights, and the stability of the nation’s vital infrastructure. International bodies and digital rights advocates are calling for transparency and the swift restoration of internet services.
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