Taliban morality police detain women in Herat over clothing violations

Afghan residents in the western city of Herat have reported witnessing multiple women being detained by the Taliban government's morality police in a crackdown over clothing. According to accounts shared with AFP on condition of anonymity, two female employees of the morality police—one carrying a whip—were seen forcing two women who were not wearing burkas into a vehicle. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said Sunday it was 'concerned over multiple arrests and detentions of women in Herat, Afghanistan, for alleged non-compliance with dress requirements.'

Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban has enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law, gradually tightening restrictions on women. Women must now be completely covered when leaving home, with many wearing a flowing abaya robe, a Muslim headscarf, and a face covering. The incidents in Herat took place on Saturday, June 8, 2026, as part of an ongoing enforcement effort. Burka-clad women were also seen queuing for free food during Ramadan in a separate photo from 2025, highlighting the broader social context of these restrictions.