HERAT — Taliban security forces opened fire on protesters in the western Afghan city of Herat on Tuesday during a demonstration against the detention of women for alleged dress code violations, eyewitnesses and local reports said.
More than 100 people, including men and women, gathered to protest the arrest and detention of more than a dozen women and girls by Taliban authorities enforcing strict hijab regulations, according to multiple accounts. Security forces fired shots to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries.
Eyewitnesses told media outlets that armed police initially fired into the air before clashing with demonstrators and opening fire again. At least three people were injured, including women and children, though exact figures and the severity of injuries remained unclear as of Tuesday evening, with no official confirmation from Taliban authorities.
The protest followed a recent directive tightening rules on women's public attire, requiring full hijab including a headscarf, long robe covering the body, and face covering leaving only the eyes visible. The rules are enforced by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.
Taliban authorities have not issued a public statement on the incident. Previous demonstrations against women's rights restrictions have been met with crackdowns since the group regained control of Afghanistan in 2021.
A local resident who witnessed the events described the situation to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, saying security forces responded forcefully after arriving at the scene. Details on any arrests during or after the protest were not immediately available.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions over the Taliban's policies on women's dress and public participation. International organizations and rights groups have repeatedly criticized such restrictions, while Taliban officials maintain they align with their interpretation of Islamic law.
"Several people were injured," one witness told reporters, according to accounts from Al Jazeera and the Associated Press. No deaths were confirmed in initial reports, though some accounts mentioned a woman and child among the injured.
As of Tuesday night, the situation in Herat appeared calm following the dispersal of the protest. Taliban officials have not commented on the enforcement action or the protest. Further details on the detained women and any ongoing investigations remained unavailable. Authorities continued to enforce the dress code regulations across the country.
