Afghanistan woke up to a total internet blackout on Tuesday after the ruling Taliban vowed to cut off access as part of a crackdown on “immoral activities,” sparking fears of further isolation for millions living under their increasingly harsh rule.

Afghanistan faces near-total digital blackout after Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada's directive dismantled the country's fibre-optic network infrastructure.

Amir Amiry, who had been detained since December, is the fifth American to be freed from Afghanistan this year.

The path to any agreement is complex for several reasons, including the Taliban’s demand that a man accused of being a Qaeda operative be released from Guantánamo Bay.

Expert analyst Bill Roggio explains why China's growing influence with the Taliban makes President Donald Trump's plan to retake Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan unlikely to succeed.

Afghanistan's internet and mobile telephone services were down nationwide on Tuesday, and while the Taliban administration offered no immediate explanation, in recent weeks it has voiced concern about pornography online.

The freeing of Amir Amiri came as the country is in broader economic and political talks with the Trump administration.