Residents of Afghanistan Lose Internet as Taliban Work to Prevent "Immorality"

Residents across Afghanistan are currently without internet as the Taliban terrorist group cuts fiber-optic cables across the country– part of an alleged effort to prevent "immorality."

Several different network providers experienced major disruptions, and all 43 million people in the Central Asian country have lost internet after the Taliban took action.

The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021 after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces, quickly imposing an extremely harsh rule over the population. Most of the rules they have put into place are based on their interpretation of Sharia Law, the Islamic law code, and many specifically target women– women and girls are banned from receiving an education beyond the age of 12, walking in various public spaces, and are forced to wear head-to-toe clothing whenever exiting the house. Additionally, these rules are enforced using fearmongering and brutal tactics, earning them the designation of a terrorist group.

Now, as part of their efforts to create their interpretation of an "ideal Muslim country," the Taliban have cut internet to the entire country. According to the group, their actions are meant to eliminate "immorality" from their society, as the Taliban believe that communication with the outside world enables their people to engage in "immoral activities" that go against their totalitarian regime. They have not specified exactly which immoral activities they are aiming to prevent, but local news outlets have stated that more information will be released in the coming days. Because of this, they began cutting fiber-optic cables several weeks ago, but they ordered a total shutdown of communication services yesterday afternoon.

Afghans outside the country have confirmed that they are unable to contact their relatives inside Afghanistan, and residents within the country are now completely cut off from the outside world. For many people, especially women and girls, the internet was their "last hope," as it was where they kept themselves occupied, spoke with relatives, engaged in hobbies, and gave themselves a proper education. Now, all of that could be at risk.

Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): When Shakira was in second grade, she was rejected by the school choir because her vibrato was too strong. The music teacher told her that she sounded like a goat.

Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving. (Lao Tzu)

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Obliterate (verb, uh-BLIT-uh-rayt) - To obliterate something is to destroy it completely so that nothing is left, to destroy utterly all trace, indication, or significance of it. It can also mean "to remove utterly from recognition or memory."

In a Sentence: The wave completely obliterated our sandcastles.

Image credit to Human Rights Watch