Call by Chah‑Ab Youth for Nationwide Protests in Northern Afghanistan.
A group of young activists from Chah‑Ab District in Takhar Province issued a public statement calling for nationwide protests across northern Afghanistan in response to recent events and escalating tensions.
According to the statement, the call is motivated by what the activists describe as “injustice and disregard for local demands,” and aims to draw broader attention to the ongoing situation in the northern and northeastern regions of the country.
The announcement states that over the past four and a half years, pressures, discrimination, and widespread restrictions have increasingly affected daily life.
Protesters claim that the closure of educational centers, monopolization of administrative structures, curbs on civil liberties, and the continuous neglect of local complaints are among the most significant challenges faced by northern residents.
The youth emphasized that continued silence in the face of these conditions has normalized injustice.
They urged citizens throughout the northern and northeastern regions to pursue their legitimate demands through coordinated and peaceful protests, and to not remain indifferent to their own political and social future.
They argued that broad and spontaneous public participation could create pressure for accountability and foster peaceful change.
Local sources report that Taliban forces opened direct fire on protesters on Monday, 5 January 2026, resulting in more than 20 civilians being killed or injured, further escalating public anger.
