Local sources in Herat report that Taliban forces arrested at least four women from shopping centers along the city's 64-Meter Road on Friday evening. According to these sources, the reason cited for the arrests was their attire and compliance with hijab regulations. Eyewitnesses also stated that several citizens attempted to prevent the women from being taken away, but Taliban officers proceeded to detain them.
According to witnesses, simultaneously with the incident, dozens of women including those wearing Taliban-approved clothing fled the area out of fear of being detained. Herat’s 64-Meter Road is one of the city's primary commercial hubs, becoming one of its busiest areas on Fridays due to the high volume of visitors, particularly families and shoppers. This thoroughfare is also known among some local residents as the "Friday Market."
Based on reports from local sources, this fresh wave of women's detentions in Herat began on Wednesday. On that day, at least five women were arrested across various parts of the city, including 64-Meter Road, the Pul-e-Rangina area, and several shopping complexes. Reports indicate that the operations continued on Thursday, with an unspecified number of women being detained along Silk Road and Khwaja Abdullah Ansari Road.
With at least four detentions documented on Friday, reports demonstrate that this crackdown has persisted for three consecutive days. The Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice in Herat has issued directives prohibiting women from wearing coats (mantos) in the province, mandating instead the group's approved attire.
Sources report that this widespread wave of detentions initially erupted on June 5. On the first day of the crackdown, dozens of women were arrested in various districts of the city on charges of wearing coats, not wearing face veils (niqab), or failing to comply with the Taliban’s dress code.
These detentions sparked protests on June 8 by several residents of the Jebrael township in Herat. According to reports, Taliban forces opened fire to disperse the protesters, resulting in the deaths of at least two teenagers and injuring more than 20 others. A number of protesters were also detained.
Three days later, a group of citizens gathered outside the Taliban governor’s office in Herat, chanting slogans such as "Woman, Life, Freedom" and "Education, Work, Freedom." Reports indicate that the Taliban violently dispersed the gathering and arrested several participants.
Despite domestic and international outcry regarding these events, local sources state that the detention of women in Herat has not ceased, with fresh cases reported across various parts of the city in the weeks following.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
