The Taliban has cut fibre optic internet in Herat, adding the western province to the growing list of areas where broadband services have been shut down, sources told Afghanistan International on Thursday.

Local residents said the outage began on 18 September. The Taliban-appointed governor of Herat has reportedly ordered money exchangers and businesses to obtain special permits to access the internet, with wireless connections restricted to registered phone numbers.

The Committee to Protect Journalists said earlier this week that fibre optic internet had already been blocked in nine provinces.

The shutdowns began in Balkh province and were carried out under a direct order from Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada.