KABUL, (Reuters) – Two sources confirmed that Taliban officials told airline companies in Afghanistan that female passengers cannot travel on domestic and international flights without a male chaperone.

After the Taliban changed their mind about opening girls’ high schools, this move was condemned by humanitarian agencies as well as foreign governments.

A decision by the United States of Wednesday on Wednesday led to Friday’s cancellation of planned US-Taliban meetings on economic topics.

According to security concerns, the sources said that the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice wrote a letter Saturday to inform airlines of the new restrictions.

The women were also informed that any unaccompanied woman who has already purchased tickets for travel would be permitted to travel on Sunday and Monday. According to them, some tickets-carrying women were refused entry at Kabul airport’s on Saturday.

Representatives from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice and the Ministry of Culture and Information didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

According to a Taliban spokesperson, women who travel abroad for studies should always be accompanied in their journeys.

Taliban claims they have made significant changes since 1996, when they banned women from leaving their home and allowing them to work. According to Islamic law and Afghan culture, they say that women are now allowed to exercise their rights.

Many rights organizations and women’s groups in Afghanistan have criticised the closing of high schools and restrictions on women working, as well as the requirement for women to travel long distances with a male chaperone.

There was no immediate information on whether restrictions on air travel could be extended to women who have dual citizenship or foreigners.

Since the Taliban regime has yet to be recognized by the international community, sanctions have crippled Afghanistan’s financial sector. This combined with cuts in development funding has pushed the country into an humanitarian crisis.