Taliban have ordered internet providers in Herat to cut service every night, local sources said on Wednesday.
According to the sources, internet in the province has been shut down from 10 p.m. until 8 a.m. for the past two nights. A manager at one internet company, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Taliban officials delivered the order during a meeting with providers.
Taliban have not publicly commented on the directive.
The move comes after the Taliban cut Herat’s fiber-optic internet earlier this week, part of a broader ban now extended to 16 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. In addition, sources said internet from telecommunication companies in Herat was shut down for 13 hours Monday night and again Tuesday night.
The restrictions have drawn strong criticism from rights activists and residents, who say they will further isolate the country. Some warn the shutdowns will devastate the last option for Afghan girls barred from classrooms, many of whom rely on online education.
