Local sources in Herat have confirmed that on Monday evening, July 2, clashes broke out after Taliban forces tried to collect a number of Muharram mourning tents in the Jibraeel area of Herat city, injuring at least three people.
According to the sources, at around 10 pm in the 13th security zone, the Taliban began dismantling tents that the group believed were set up outside the designated areas.
This action was met with a reaction from a number of mourners, leading to shooting.
Videos made available to the media show scenes of shooting and the destruction of tents. It has also been reported that the Taliban have arrested at least 15 local residents.
Taliban officials have not yet commented on the incident.
Sources say that before the start of Muharram, specific locations for the ceremonies were designated in meetings between Shiite scholars and local Taliban officials.
However, some residents claim that the destroyed tents were set up in the same designated areas.
Local Taliban officials have emphasized that mourning ceremonies are only allowed near mosques.
Last year, during Muharram, similar incidents occurred between Taliban forces and mourners in the Jibrael region.
