Taliban authorities have reportedly closed around 100 shops in Jebrail district of Herat province following a dispute over land ownership in the central area of the township.
Sources in Jebrail told local media that the shops, located in the covered market, were closed on Saturday, September 5, and have remained shut since then. The closures are reportedly linked to an individual claiming ownership of parts of the land on which the market and surrounding properties are located.
According to residents, the dispute has created uncertainty for local shopkeepers, many of whom have been unable to conduct their businesses since the Taliban authorities ordered the market closed.
Three residents have also reportedly been arrested in connection with the dispute. The circumstances surrounding their arrests and the specific legal basis for the closures remain unclear.
The incident has raised concerns among local residents and traders, particularly over the economic impact of shutting down such a large number of businesses. Shopkeepers depend on the market for their livelihoods, and prolonged closure could result in significant financial losses.
Land ownership disputes have remained a sensitive issue in Afghanistan, where questions over property rights and documentation have frequently contributed to conflicts between individuals and communities.
It remains unclear how long the shops will remain closed or whether the Taliban authorities will provide a formal explanation regarding the ownership dispute and the arrests. Local residents are awaiting a resolution that would allow businesses in the market to reopen.