Taliban morality police detain dozens of women in Kabul crackdown

Female members of the Taliban's morality police gathered about 16 women in the Shah-e Do Shamshira neighborhood of Kabul and compelled them to enter a van, with a male officer and other women present inside. Initial reports indicated roughly 20 women were taken, but four were released after authorities inspected their mobile devices. The motive for the detentions was not disclosed, but the incident aligns with a pattern of intensified enforcement of strict Sharia dress codes, including recent roundups in Herat despite women wearing hijabs.

Residents report growing fear as patrols increase and women face intimidation, such as being stopped for wearing long coats. The crackdown follows a protest in June that resulted in casualties after security forces opened fire on demonstrators opposing similar arrests. Human rights observers have warned that the Taliban's expanding restrictions severely limit Afghan women's public life and freedoms.