Hundreds of Afghan Shi'a protest killings
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 3 January 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Hundreds of Afghan Shi'a protest killings, 3 January 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a3e41c.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 03, 2017
Afghan Shi'a hold posters and chant slogans during a demonstration in Herat on January 3.
Hundreds of Shi'ite Muslims have demonstrated in western Afghanistan against increasing attacks by radical Islamic groups.
Chanting "Death to the enemies of Afghanistan!" and yelling slogans against Islamic State (IS) group militants, protesters marched to the governor's office in the city of Herat on January 3 carrying photos of Shi'ite friends and relatives killed in recent attacks.
Herat, which borders predominantly Shi'ite Iran, recently witnessed a surge in attacks on Shi'ite mosques.
A Muslim prayer leader was killed and five others were wounded in an attack on January 1.
"This is a dangerous trend and we want the government to protect us," said one protester.
IS militants were largely confined to the eastern province of Nangarhar, which borders Pakistan, one year ago, but the government said they have greatly expanded their presence since then.
Najibullah Mani, head of the Interior Ministry's Counterterrorism Department, said in Herat on January 3 that IS militants are now active in "at least 11 [of Afghanistan's 34 provinces]."
In July, IS militants targeted Kabul's Shi'ite community in a suicide bombing that killed more than 80 people and wounded 130.
With reporting by AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
