SOCIETY — June 20, 2026
Taliban agents tear down Muharram flags in Ghazni, Herat and Kabul
Witnesses described agents using force to remove banners from homes, shops and mourning sites in three cities, even after Shia scholars requested protection for Ashura observances.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Afghanistan International — 2 min read
Residents across Ghazni, Herat and Kabul have reported that Taliban agents removed and destroyed flags and banners marking the Muharram mourning period.
In Herat's Shidayee area, agents forced residents to take down the flags on Wednesday evening. In Kabul's Dasht-e Barchi district, the Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice removed flags from shops, houses and mourning sites, with accounts describing the use of force and violence.
Taliban mobile patrols in Ghazni pulled down flags and tore black banners on Friday night. Residents said agents also treated mourners with humiliation and imposed heavy restrictions on Shia religious ceremonies.
The actions occurred after the Council of Shia Scholars of Afghanistan issued a statement calling on the Taliban to provide security for Muharram and Ashura events. Sirajuddin Haqqani had earlier emphasized the need to protect citizens during the period.
Read the original reporting at Afghanistan International →
Reliability assessment
Single source provides multiple citizen accounts with concrete locations, dates and details; core event of flag removals corroborated across reports from three cities
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Afghanistan International: "trampling on the rights of Shiites", "humiliating and violent manner", "mistreated Muharram mourners" – these phrases frame the Taliban's actions with strong negative judgment and emotional language implying systematic oppression.
Independent web corroboration
A separate web search returned 8 matching reports. A selection:
- Muharram Brings Atmosphere of Mourning to Kabul, Afghanistanpakistan.shafaqna.com
Sources have said that in some cases, the Taliban have prevented the installation of religious flags and symbols, and in certain areas, flags placed by people have even been removed.
Across the newsrooms
Filed by
Afghanistan International
Originating
Framed
Framed
Filed under
Society — Taliban, Muharram, Shia, Kabul, Herat, Ghazni
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