Afghans reportedly took to the streets of Herat on Tuesday, chanting “Education, Employment, Freedom” in a protest against Taliban rule and its severe restrictions on basic rights.
Footage from the demonstration reportedly shows protesters gathering in the city before Taliban forces moved to disperse them. Witnesses at the scene claimed that Taliban gunmen opened direct fire on the crowd.
There are currently no independently confirmed casualty figures. However, demonstrators said that multiple protesters may have been killed after Taliban forces fired into the gathering. The claims and the circumstances surrounding the reported shootings remain unverified.
The protest reflects continuing public anger over the Taliban’s restrictions on education—particularly for women and girls—as well as the lack of employment opportunities and political freedoms under the Islamist regime.