Taliban officials have broken up a demonstration by dozens of women in Kabul demanding rights following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.
The group say the Taliban targeted them with tear gas and pepper spray as they tried to walk from a bridge to the presidential palace.
But the Taliban maintain the protest got out of control, according to Afghan media outlet Tolo News.
It's the latest of several protests by women in Kabul and Herat.
The women were calling for the right to work and to be included in the government. The Taliban say they will announce the make-up of their administration in the coming days.
The Taliban have said women can be involved in government, but not hold ministerial positions.
Many women fear a return to the way they were treated when the Taliban were previously in power, between 1996 and 2001. Women were forced to cover their faces outside, and harsh punishments were meted out for minor transgressions.
"Twenty-five years ago, when the Taliban came, they prevented me from going to school," journalist Azita Nazimi told Tolo.
"After five years of their rule, I studied for 25 years and worked hard. For the sake of our better future, we will not allow this to happen."
Another demonstrator, Soraya, told Reuters: "They also hit women on the head with a gun magazine, and the women became bloody."
Protest in Kabul to Preserve Rights Turns Violent#TOLOnews pic.twitter.com/ACG3EZxJ15
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) September 5, 2021
Clashes have meanwhile continued in the Panjshir Valley, north of Kabul, where resistance fighters have been thwarting efforts by the Taliban to exert control.
But there's been claim and counter-claim. The Taliban maintain they've taken control of two more districts and are heading for the centre of the province.
A spokesman for the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF) said heavy fighting was continuing and thousands of Taliban had been surrounded.
The Panjshir Valley, home to between 150,000 and 200,000 people, was a centre of resistance when Afghanistan was under Soviet occupation in the 1980s and during the Taliban's previous period of rule.
The NRF's leader, Ahmad Massoud, praised protests by women in Herat, and said Panjshir continued to resist.
None of the claims by the NRF or the Taliban could be independently verified.
In a further sign of Kabul's airport resuming activity following the US withdrawal last week, Afghan airline Ariana announced the resumption of internal flights to three cities: Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif and Kandahar.
Al-Jazeera TV quoted Qatar's ambassador as saying a technical team from Qatar had succeeded in reopening the airport to receive aid flights.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is travelling to Qatar on Sunday. The country plays a key mediating role in Afghanistan, but he is not expected to meet anyone from the Taliban.
The head of Pakistan's spy agency, the ISI, General Faiz Hameed has arrived in Kabul, but gave nothing away when questioned by reporters.
An official told Reuters earlier this week he could help the Taliban reorganise the Afghan military.
The ISI has been accused by Western powers of backing the Taliban, something denied by Pakistan.
Latest Stories
-
PenTrust CEO named ‘Best Pensions CEO’, company wins ‘Scheme Administrator Award’ at Ghana Accountancy & Finance Awards 2024
2 mins -
Alan Kyerematen’s ‘Brighter Future for Health Professionals’ in Ghana Revealed in Bono
13 mins -
NPP will ensure a safer cleaner and greener environment – Dr Kokofu
21 mins -
2024 Election: Police to deal with individuals who will cause trouble – IGP
22 mins -
Seychelles President’s visit rekindles historical and diplomatic ties with Ghana
27 mins -
Election 2024: EC destroys defective ballot papers for Ahafo and Volta regions
37 mins -
2024 Election: I am sad EC disqualified me, but I endorse CPP’s candidate – PNP’s Nabla
1 hour -
I want to build a modern, inclusive country anchored by systems and data – Bawumia to CSOs
1 hour -
Miss Health Ghana 2024: Kujori Esther Cachana crowned new Health Ambassador
1 hour -
Livestream: The manifesto debate on WASH and climate change
1 hour -
Alan Kyerematen saddened by NDC and NPP’s neglect of Krofrom Market in the Ashanti Region
1 hour -
CSIR Executive Director urges farmers to adopt technology for improved farming
2 hours -
Football Impact Africa’s Ghetto Love Initiative inspires change in Teshie
2 hours -
Peter Toobu calls for tighter border security over uncovered weapons at Tema Port
2 hours -
Gov’t has failed its commitment to IPPs – Ablakwa
2 hours