Several citizens held a protest gathering on Friday in front of the Taliban governor’s office in Herat. Eyewitnesses say that after the demonstration began, Taliban forces opened fire in an attempt to disperse the protesters.
Videos obtained by TOS News show demonstrators chanting slogans in support of women’s rights to education and work, as well as “Woman, Life, Freedom.” The footage also captures the sound of gunfire.
The gathering took place despite the fact that Taliban forces had been heavily deployed across various parts of Herat in the hours leading up to the protest. Local sources say the deployment aimed to prevent any form of demonstration.
Eyewitnesses and local residents told media outlets that a number of citizens had gathered outside the Taliban governor’s office, but security forces moved in to disperse the crowd as the protest began.
According to published videos, in addition to the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom,” protesters also chanted “Allahu Akbar,” “Right to education and work,” and “Death to the dictator.”
This marks the second public protest in Herat in recent days. Previously, residents of the Jebraeil area of Herat had also staged demonstrations in response to the detention of women and girls, which ended following intervention by Taliban forces.
The recent protests come amid reports of widespread arrests of women in Herat. The United Nations had previously confirmed that at least one person was killed by gunfire during earlier protests in the province.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
