Authorities in the western Afghan city of Herat have arrested at least 30 women for allegedly breaching dress rules imposed by the Taliban, according to the United Nations agency for women’s rights.
UN Women said some of those detained had since been released but warned the arrests had fuelled widespread concern among women and girls across the country.
The detentions prompted protests earlier this week in the Injil district of Herat, which were met with a security response.
The agency said Taliban forces reportedly fired on demonstrators, including men, women and children, and carried out beatings during the unrest.
Reports suggest that officials from the Taliban’s Department for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, often referred to as the morality police, had detained women in the days leading up to the protests for alleged violations of hijab regulations.
However, local authorities have denied that women were arrested.
Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan.
These measures have included limits on access to education, employment and sport, drawing sustained international criticism and raising concerns about the erosion of women’s rights.
UN Women said the latest developments risk deepening fear among Afghan women already living under severe constraints.
International organisations have repeatedly called on the Taliban to reverse restrictions on women and uphold fundamental rights, warning that continued measures could further isolate Afghanistan diplomatically and deepen its humanitarian crisis.
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused the U.S. and Israel of seeking to foment internal divisions in Iran after failing to defeat the country militarily, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel may participate in the investigation into a serious incident aboard a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, while investigators examine the motive of the co-pilot involved.
Passengers restrained a flydubai co-pilot who allegedly stabbed the pilot and tried to crash a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday.
North Korea has dismissed as a “farce” Seoul’s claim that Pyongyang was responsible for a landmine explosion south of the Military Demarcation Line that injured three South Korean soldiers.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 30 September 2026. These are the top five stories making headlines in Europe.
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates are exploring a new railway through Afghanistan that could open another route for Central Asian cargo to Pakistan’s seaports.
Passengers from a flydubai flight that was diverted to Saudi Arabia after an alleged attempt to crash the aircraft have arrived safely in Israel.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered an Iranian delegation, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to leave the United States after negotiations between Washington and Tehran stalled, according to a U.S. official.
Afghanistan says its forces have killed 41 fighters and captured 62 others after several days of fighting in eastern Nuristan, accusing Pakistan’s military of helping armed groups cross into Afghan territory.
Azerbaijan has opened ADEX 2026 and Securex Caspian in Baku, bringing together defence, security and technology representatives from around the world for the three-day exhibitions.
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