Taliban Resists Truck Drivers' Protest in Herat With Gunfire

On Wednesday, a group of truck drivers and merchants staged a protest at the Herat Airport in response to a significant increase in "extra costs" imposed by the Taliban.

Protesters allege that the Taliban's gunfire during the demonstration resulted in at least one driver being injured.

According to reports from truck drivers and merchants in Herat, the protest on August 28 was triggered by heightened fees levied by the Taliban commission at Herat customs.

The protesters claimed that their demands for a reduction in these additional costs were met with gunfire from the Taliban members.

Videos obtained by Afghanistan International show at least one injured protester being transported to the hospital. Another video depicts a truck driver kneeling before Taliban fighters, asking to be shot in the chest. The sender of the video explained that the driver, facing a death threat from a Taliban gunman, had asked to be shot.

Taliban officials in Herat are yet to comment on the incident.