Taliban Ministry of Justice forces surrounded the office of Afghanistan’s High Commission of Shias in Kabul on Tuesday, according to reliable sources cited by Afghanistan International.
The sources said members of the commission were inside the building when Taliban forces surrounded the office. Details regarding the reasons behind the action remain unclear.
The reported incident has raised concerns among members of Afghanistan’s Shia community, particularly regarding the status and activities of the commission. It was not immediately clear whether the Taliban forces intended to search the premises, question commission officials or take other action.
No information was immediately available regarding arrests, casualties or whether anyone had been allowed to leave the building.
The High Commission of Shias is involved in representing issues concerning Afghanistan’s Shia community, which has faced security, political and social challenges under Taliban rule.
The reported surrounding of the commission’s office comes amid continued scrutiny of the Taliban authorities’ treatment of religious and ethnic communities across Afghanistan. Any action against the commission could have broader implications for relations between Taliban authorities and representatives of the country’s Shia population.
Afghanistan International reported that the information was provided by reliable sources familiar with the situation. Further details about the incident, including the reasons for the Taliban forces’ presence and the outcome of the standoff, remain awaited.