KABUL, Afghanistan — Mobile phone networks were shut down in Kabul and several provinces on Sunday, the first day of Eid al-Fitr in Afghanistan, according to multiple local sources.
Residents told Amu that mobile services were suspended around 6 a.m. local time. The Taliban authorities have not issued a statement explaining the disruption, which left many citizens unable to communicate during one of the most important religious holidays of the year.
“This has caused serious problems for people trying to reach loved ones on Eid,” one Kabul resident told Amu, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The blackout mirrors similar actions taken by the Taliban last year, when they disabled telecommunication services during the early hours of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. In those instances, service typically resumed around midday.
Although no official explanation has been provided, some sources suggest the suspension may be linked to security concerns, though the nature of any potential threat remains unclear.
The move comes despite repeated claims by Taliban officials that they have established “nationwide security” since returning to power in 2021.
