Why is iOS sending HTTPS requests even with background refresh disabled?

Why is iOS sending HTTPS requests even with background refresh disabled?

I've installed NextDNS on my iPhone and started noticing random connection requests to *.aliexpress.com, live.musical.ly, amazon.sa, and others.

What made me wonder is that

1. I don't have "background app refresh" enabled,
2. No app from TikTok, AliExpress, or Amazon is installed and
3. I had the phone locked ("standby") during the whole time.

Does anyone know what might be happening here?