Afghan Witness Reports

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.

As news of Zholia Parsi’s alleged arrest surfaced, Afghan Witness monitored the online response.

AW records indicate this is the first protest in Nuristan province.

The incident marked the second clash between farmers and the Taliban over poppy eradication enforcement, after a similar incident occurred in Nangarhar in April.

The burning of the Quran provides a relatively easy opportunity for the Taliban to mobilise public opinion and protest – and position themselves as defenders of the Islamic faith

Two individuals were accidentally killed as shots were fired into the air to control the crowd, the group says.

Following the Taliban’s quasi-ban on demonstrations, Afghan protesters have found new ways to draw attention to their cause.