Overview

• Internet watchdog NetBlocks measured national traffic dropping to roughly 14% of normal before plunging closer to 1%, describing a total telecom blackout.
• An Afghan official told AFP the shutdown would be executed in stages and continue until further notice, warning banking, customs and other essential services would be affected.
• Telephone and broadcast services were disrupted, with TOLOnews reporting outages and indications that mobile data could be restricted to 2G capacity.
• FlightRadar24 data and local reports indicated flight cancellations at Kabul airport on Tuesday as the loss of connectivity affected operations.
• The move follows province-level fiber cuts ordered since mid-September to curb alleged “vice,” drawing swift criticism from rights groups and the U.S., with particular concern for women, journalists and aid operations.