Taliban's Nationwide Internet Shutdown Brings Afghanistan Flights to a Halt

AFGHANISTAN FLIGHTS GROUNDED AFTER INTERNET SHUTDOWN Kabul, Afghanistan - The Taliban government's decision to shut down the internet nationwide has brought Afghanistan's main airport to a standstill, stranding thousands of passengers and disrupting essential services. The shutdown, which took effect on Monday, has left communication within Afghanistan and with the outside world severely affected. Flight tracking service Flightradar24 showed that a handful of incoming and outgoing flights on Tuesday had been cancelled, while many more had their status marked as "unknown". According to one passenger who planned to fly into Kabul International Airport on Tuesday, airline staff informed them there would be no flights until Thursday at the earliest. "This is causing huge problems for people trying to travel," said the passenger, who wished to remain anonymous. "We're stuck here with no way of communicating with our families or getting any information about when we can leave." The UN has expressed concern over the shutdown, warning that it could inflict significant harm on the country's economy and humanitarian situation. "The internet is a lifeline for many people in Afghanistan, particularly women and girls who rely on online education," said a spokesperson for the UN. "This shutdown will only exacerbate the already dire situation." The Taliban has yet to give an official reason for the decision, but sources close to the government suggest it may be related to concerns over social media usage. "The Taliban is trying to control the narrative and suppress dissenting voices," said a former Afghan government official who wished to remain anonymous. "This shutdown is just another example of their efforts to restrict freedom of expression." The internet shutdown has also disrupted essential services, including banking and payments, which are critical for many Afghans who rely on digital transactions. "This is a disaster for our economy," said a Kabul-based business owner. "We can't operate without the internet, and this shutdown will only make things worse." As the situation continues to unfold, international airlines have begun to cancel flights to Afghanistan, citing the uncertainty surrounding the airport's operations. The current status of the airport remains unclear, with many flights still listed as "unknown" on flight tracking services. The Taliban has yet to provide a timeline for when internet services will be restored or flights will resume. In the meantime, thousands of passengers remain stranded at Kabul International Airport, waiting for news about their travel plans and the resumption of essential services. *Reporting by Bbc.*