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.
Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of blaming Kabul for its domestic political and security problems, as Islamabad repeated claims that militants are...
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) carried 419,000 connecting passengers through Baku in the first nine months of 2026, up 29 per cent year on year, highli...
An explosion and fire have been reported at a major underground gas pipeline in Russia’s Penza region on 13 October, according to UA News, as...
One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a fresh attack on Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, Saudi authorities reported, a day after a strike claimed by Yemen's Houthis killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
The Kremlin on Monday rejected a 60-day ceasefire idea proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to allow his country to hold presidential elections, saying it wanted an overall peace deal instead.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling to accept the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of blaming Kabul for its domestic political and security problems, as Islamabad repeated claims that militants are using Afghan territory to launch attacks across the border.
Pakistan has called on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to crack down on militants operating from Afghan territory, warning that cross-border attacks pose a growing threat to regional security.
Saudi Arabia has vowed to remain resilient after a wave of Houthi missile and drone attacks killed around 20 people at Riyadh's main airport, raising concerns over the kingdom's air defences and disrupting flights across the region.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to sign and ratify their peace agreement as soon as possible, calling it a crucial step towards securing his country's long-term stability.
Georgia is seeking to join the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan transport route as part of efforts to boost trade and strengthen access to international markets. The country is also investing in transport infrastructure and deepening economic ties with Uzbekistan.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment