Unclaimed Shia killings spark anti-Taliban protest

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Afghan Witness

Afghan Witness's photo

After three unclaimed killings of Shia scholars between 22 October and 1 December 2023, protests erupted in Herat against the Taliban’s alleged neglect of the Shia community. Questions remain about the perpetrators of these attacks, as ISKP, a militant group with a reputation for attacking Shias in Afghanistan has remained silent.

Geolocation of the crowd during funeral prayers at the Sayed Murtaza Alavi Shrine in Herat’s Jebrael town [34.372364, 62.134067] via Afghan Witness

On 1 December 2023, multiple [WARNING: GRAPHIC] reports surfaced on social media of an assault on a vehicle carrying Shia civilians in the Injil district of Herat.

The civilians were reportedly returning from a funeral ceremony when they were attacked by unidentified gunmen, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, including Shia scholars Mohammad Mohsin Hamidi and Mohammad Taqi Sadiqi.

On 3 December 2023, images from the funeral service were posted on X, showing six bodies laid before a sizable gathering of people engaged in funeral prayers at the Sayed Murtaza Alavi Shrine in Herat’s Jebrael town.

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