KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Taliban forces opened fire on Shia mourners in the western province of Herat on Tuesday night, injuring at least two people, local sources reported.
According to the sources, Taliban fighters dismantled and removed Muharram mourning flags and tents in the Jebrael and Kore Milli neighbourhoods, predominantly Hazara areas. Several mourners were also detained during the operation.
Witnesses said the mourning flags and banners had been installed in pre-designated locations following prior agreements with Taliban authorities.
As of now, Taliban officials in Herat have not commented on the incident or the reported injuries.
Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, holds deep religious significance for Shia Muslims, who commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and his companions in the 7th century.
Before the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Shia communities in Afghanistan observed Muharram rituals openly. Since then, the group has imposed widespread restrictions on Shia religious practices.
Last year, the Taliban banned public Muharram ceremonies in major cities including Kabul, Herat, Ghazni, and Mazar-e-Sharif. Roadside refreshment stalls, processions, and the public recitation of elegies, even on public transport, were prohibited.
In one of the deadliest incidents, Taliban forces opened fire on Ashura mourners in Ghazni in 2023, killing four and injuring at least 33 others.
In Mazar-e-Sharif, authorities prevented Shia mourners from gathering at the shrine of Ali, a vast religious complex in the city center that traditionally draws large crowds during Muharram.
Residents say the restrictions are not limited to urban centers. In some remote areas, where there are no apparent security threats, Muharram observances have also been curtailed.
