Shia Rights Watch issues its monthly report highlighting the most prominent human rights violations committed against Shia Muslims from June 1, 2026 – July 1, 2026.
This report details various terrorist operations carried out by extremist groups against Shia Muslims, as well as instances of oppression and abuse by certain governments and regimes.
SRW relied on both its own sources and public sources, such as individuals and human rights groups active in the countries where violations occurred.
SRW notes that it refrained from mentioning some violations due to the absence of conclusive evidence, despite being certain of their occurrence in some countries, emphasizing that it does not seek political or profit goals in its work, but rather aims to achieve justice and equality aspired to by human societies.
Countries (Alphabetically):
Afghanistan
06/09/2026 – Two young men killed during Taliban attack on protesters
Taliban authorities opened fire on protesters in Herat, killing two young men.
06/09/2026 – Two individuals arrested in Herat
Taliban authorities arrested two young men after they documented the shooting of protesters in Herat.
06/20/2026 – Taliban interfere with Ashura observances in Ghazni, Herat, and Kabul
Reliable sources confirmed that Taliban members disrupted Ashura commemorations in Kabul, Ghazni, and Herat, removing religious banners and tearing down black mourning flags displayed at locations hosting Ashura ceremonies.
06/21/2026 – Director of Tamadon TV and employee detained
Jawad Mohseni, head of Tamadon TV, announced that station director Mohammad Rahmati and employee Mohammad Reza Ehsani had been detained for several days by order of the Taliban Ministry of Justice.
According to Mohseni, both men were held in solitary confinement without a judicial warrant and without any formal charges. He called for their immediate release.
Taliban forces also raided the television station’s office in Kabul, suspended its broadcasting, and confiscated part of its property.
06/21/2026 – Former military officer assassinated in Daikundi
An armed group assassinated Yasser Behzad Hosseini in Daikundi. The victim had previously served as an officer in Afghanistan’s former national army.
06/22/2026 – Taliban arrest worshippers in Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif
Taliban authorities arrested nine individuals from several mosques and Hussainiyas in Kabul after they raised Ashura flags.
Taliban forces reportedly stormed multiple religious centers, removed and tore down Ashura banners, including:
- Imam Hassan Al-Mujtaba Mosque (Telegraph Station area)
- Mohammadi Mosque (Qala-e-Shahada)
- Prophet Muhammad Mosque (Omid Sabz City)
- Rawdat Al-Shuhada Hussainiya (Sarkarez)
- Hasnain Mosque (Karte Seh)
- Al-Risalah Religious School
- Afshari Mosque near the Ministry of Justice
SRW sources also confirmed the arrest of three additional individuals in Mazar-i-Sharif for the same reason.
06/23/2026 – Prominent Shia community figures detained
Informed sources reported that Taliban Justice Minister Abdul Hakim Shara’i summoned a number of prominent Shia community leaders to the Ministry of Justice before ordering their detention.
The detainees were compelled to sign written commitments requiring the immediate removal of Ashura flags, banners, and religious symbols from mosques and Hussainiyas.
According to sources, the community leaders were held from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., after which they were ordered to comply by 5:00 p.m.
Local sources further confirmed that at least 30 Shia individuals were detained in a special prison operated by the Taliban Ministry of Justice.
06/25/2026 – Taliban detain women in Herat
Taliban members arrested several women in the 64-Meter Street district of Herat.
Witnesses reported seeing several women inside a Taliban vehicle but were unable to determine the exact number. The arrests reportedly took place at night after government offices had closed.
06/26/2026 – Taliban close Khatam Al-Nabiyyin Seminary in Kabul
In the latest measure targeting Shia institutions, Taliban authorities closed the Khatam Al-Nabiyyin Seminary in Kabul.
The complex includes a mosque, Hussainiya, library, and religious schools for both men and women. The closure follows the suspension of Tamadon TV and the confiscation of its assets.
06/27/2026 – Journalist arrested for covering Ashura ceremonies
Taliban authorities arrested a female journalist and several of her colleagues while they were covering Ashura commemorations in Kabul. They were transferred to a Taliban security facility.
Pakistan
06/01/2026 – Hussaini reciter arrested in Baltistan
Security authorities unlawfully arrested Hussaini reciter Zulfi Azadar and placed him in detention.
06/21/2026 – Young man abducted and killed
Members of the extremist organization known as Sipah-e-Sahaba abducted Abbas Hussain Bakhsh from his shop in Dera Ismail Khan before brutally murdering him.
06/27/2026 – Afghan Shia businessman assassinated in Quetta
An armed group assassinated Afghan Shia businessman Mohammad Hashim Noorzai in Quetta.
Bahrain
06/01/2026 – Authorities tighten restrictions ahead of Muharram
Bahraini security authorities summoned several Hussaini preachers as the month of Muharram approached and imposed additional restrictions on the observance of religious ceremonies.
06/01/2026 – Three young men arrested
Security forces arrested:
- Ali Zuhair Shaaban from Al-Eker.
- Hussein Abdul Nabi Al-Asfour from Nuwaidrat.
- Sayyid Jaafar Yousif from Saar following a raid on his home.
06/03/2026 – Widespread arrests and home raids
Security authorities carried out a broad campaign of raids and arrests across several areas of Bahrain, detaining:
- Hajj Jameel Aqeeqah after raiding his home in Manama.
- Dr. Sayyid Hashem Salman Al-Mousawi from Qadam.
- Hajj Ahmed Abdullah Al-Rais from Diraz.
- Radhi Al-Qatari from Karbabad.
- Hussaini reciter Isa Nizar Al-Dirazi.
- Sheikh Jaafar Ashour.
- Sayyid Yassin Al-Mousawi.
- Hussaini reciter Ahmed Qurban.
- Sheikh Nadhir Al-Malik.
- Sheikh Ali Al-Mustarshid.
All were taken to undisclosed locations.
06/03/2026 – Increased restrictions on pilgrims returning from Iraq
Security authorities subjected Bahraini citizens returning from visits to the holy shrines in Iraq to extensive interrogations and compelled many to sign security pledges.
06/04/2026 – Young man from Al-Eker arrested
Authorities arrested Abdullah Hassan Salman Al-Anisi from Al-Eker.
06/06/2026 – Two brothers arrested
Authorities arrested brothers Mahmoud Abdulhadi Al-Zayer and Abbas Abdulhadi Al-Zayer from Abu Saiba after summoning them for questioning at Budaiya Police Station.
06/07/2026 – Young man arrested in Abu Saiba
Security forces arrested Sayyid Ahmed Mohammed Radhi after summoning him to Al-Naeem Police Station.
06/07/2026 – Five-year prison sentence
A Bahraini court sentenced Sayyid Sadiq Al-Hajri from Al-Hajar to five years in prison.
06/08/2026 – Young man arrested in Bilad Al-Qadeem
Authorities arrested Mohammed Hussein Makki following several days of surveillance.
06/08/2026 – Arrest in Abu Saiba
Security authorities arrested Mohammed Hassan Dawood after questioning him at Al-Naeem Police Station.
06/09/2026 – Multiple arrests
Security forces arrested:
- Salman Jaafar Salil (Sitra).
- Murtadha Hussein (Sitra).
- Sayyid Hussein Ahmed Fadhel (Diraz).
- Ahmed Fadhel immediately upon his arrival at Bahrain International Airport.
06/12/2026 – Minor arrested
Authorities arrested Jaafar Mohammed, a minor from Sitra, after summoning him for questioning.
06/14/2026 – Two young men arrested
Security forces arrested Murtadha Ali Faradan and Sayyid Mohammed Radhi, both from Saar.
06/15/2026 – Courts issue multiple prison sentences
Bahraini courts imposed several prison sentences, including:
- Mohammed Mahdi Abdul Karim – 3 years.
- Ali Saeed – 10 years and a fine of 2,000 Bahraini Dinars.
- Hilal Ali – 10 years and a fine of 2,000 Bahraini Dinars.
- Jassim Ali (Sitra) – 10 years and a fine of 2,000 Bahraini Dinars.
- Minors Hussein Ali Madan and Mohammed Isa (Nuwaidrat) – 3 years each.
- Sayyid Hussein Jaafar – 10 years and a fine of 2,000 Bahraini Dinars.
- Ali Fakhr – 10 years and a fine of 2,000 Bahraini Dinars.
06/17/2026 – Arrest campaign linked to Ashura observances
Authorities arrested:
- Nasrallah Shaker Al-Mawali, age 14, from Al-Maqsha.
- Jalal Ahmed Khalaf from Saar after expressing support for Ashura observances.
- Mohammed Rashid Abdul Nabi.
06/18/2026 – Three minors arrested
Authorities arrested three minors from Sanabis after they appeared before investigators regarding their participation in Imam Hussein’s mourning ceremonies:
- Ali Al-Hayat (17)
- Mohammed Hassan (16)
- Qasim Mohammed (15)
06/19/2026 – Campaign targeting religious officials
Security authorities arrested:
- Sayyid Abbas Alawi, caretaker of Fatima Al-Zahra Mosque in Hamad Town.
- Mohammed Zain Al-Din, head of Al-Noor Hussainiya in Diraz.
- Salman Zayer Ali, head of Ansar Al-Adala Matam.
- Hassan Ahmed Juma Al-Muallim, chairman of Sanabis Grand Matam.
- Sayyid Mohammed Radhi, caretaker of Sheikh Ali Mosque in Abu Saiba.
- Mohammed Yousif, head of Al-Markh Matam.
- Hussaini reciter Abdul Munim Marzouq following his participation in an Ashura procession.
- Ali Al-Ghais, head of Hamad Town Ashura Committee.
06/21/2026 – Additional arrests
Authorities arrested:
- Hassan Fardan Abdul Karim (Diraz).
- Sajjad Abdul Sahib Al-Ajmi (Karana).
- Hussein Mohammed Mahdi (Abu Quwa).
- Hussein Ali Al-Khawaja (Manama).
06/23/2026 – Widespread arrest campaign
Authorities arrested:
- Sadiq Abdul Rasul.
- Sayyid Mohammed Al-Alawi.
- Hussein Ali Salman.
- Brothers Mahmoud Hamza Mubarak and Murtadha Hamza Mubarak.
- Mohammed Al-Ajmi.
- Karar Abdul Sahib Al-Ajmi.
- Mahmoud Faisal Al-Ajmi.
- Ali Al-Jaziri.
- Hassan Al-Qubaiti.
- Baqir Sabt.
- Ali Hussein Abdul Amir.
- Qasim Mohammed.
- Ali Badah.
- Mohammed Baqir.
06/24/2026 – Large-scale arrests
Authorities arrested:
- Hajj Isa Al-Mu’min, head of Eastern Karbabad Matam.
- Sheikh Ali Ashour.
- Sayyid Mohammed Sayyid Jassim Sharaf.
- Sheikh Ali Badah, a seminary student.
- Sheikh Hussein Isa Najeeb, Imam of Al-Khaif Mosque and head of the Southern Matam in Al-Dair.
- Hussaini reciter Ahmed Abbas Abdul Ithna Ashar.
06/25/2026 – Continued arrest campaign
Authorities arrested:
- Hussein Abdullah Juma.
- Haider Hussein Ali.
- Abbas Ali Abbas.
- Mohammed Isa Al-Asfour.
- Social researcher Fatima Haroun.
- Muin Ali Al-Jallawi.
- Mahmoud Al-Zaki.
- Hajj Jassim Al-Mutawa.
- Firas Abbas.
- Ali Al-Haddad.
- Ali Saeed Al-Arnout.
06/27/2026 – Three young men arrested
Authorities arrested:
- Ali Eid (Karbabad).
- Hamza Shaker Al-Mulla.
- Hussein Shaker Al-Mulla.
06/27/2026 – Arrest in Southern Sehla
Authorities arrested Saeed Akbar Al-Mulla from Southern Sehla.
06/28/2026 – Multiple arrests
Security forces arrested:
- Kamil Amer Badaw after raiding his family home in Diraz.
- Ali Adeeb following questioning by security authorities.
- Sayyid Ali Sharaf.
- Hussaini reciter Sayyid Hussein Al-Mousawi, head of Saar Ashura Procession.
06/29/2026 – Community leader arrested
Authorities arrested Sayyid Hussein Majid, head of the Hussainiya Committee in A’ali, after summoning him for questioning.
Kuwait
06/24/2026 – Hussainiya closed during Ashura
Authorities ordered the closure of Al-Yaseen Hussainiya and suspended all Ashura-related activities there until further notice.
Egypt
06/10/2026 – Shia activist arrested
Security forces arrested Shia activist Haider Qandil and transferred him to an undisclosed location.
06/17/2026 – Imam Hussein Mosque closed
Egyptian authorities closed the Imam Hussein Mosque in Cairo coinciding with the beginning of the month of Muharram.
Syria
06/01/2026 – Young man killed in Al-Ghab Plain
An armed group killed Hamza Hassoun in the village of Al-Qahira in the Al-Ghab Plain, Hama countryside.
06/02/2026 – Two young men killed in Kiteloun
An armed group killed Majd Hatem Al-Shaer and Yamen Hussein Al-Sulaiman in the village of Kiteloun near Salamiyah, Hama countryside.
06/03/2026 – Twenty farmers arbitrarily arrested in Jableh
Public Security forces arbitrarily arrested 20 farmers while they were collecting firewood in the Jableh area without any legal justification.
06/03/2026 – University students attacked in Damascus
Extremist groups launched an attack with bladed weapons against university students from Masyaf and Tartous inside student housing in Damascus, leaving several students seriously injured.
06/07/2026 – Detainee dies under torture
Hassan Youssef Al-Tawil, from the village of Barouha in the Talkalakh countryside, died under torture after being detained several days earlier.
06/07/2026 – Four civilians killed in Salamiyah countryside
An armed group killed Kolb Ahmed Alloush, Mahmoud Ayman Alloush, Jarj Ahmed Ayman Alloush, and Ali Kolb Alloush in the village of Lashihib near Salamiyah.
06/07/2026 – Two civilians killed in Masyaf
An armed group killed Ali Hassan Al-Hassan and Wael Khader Al-Khader from the village of Tal Skeen Al-Sarout in the Hama countryside. Two other civilians were injured.
06/09/2026 – Young man killed in Hama countryside
An armed group shot and killed Ali Khazem Al-Darwish, a resident of Al-Rabia, in rural Hama.
06/11/2026 – Shepherd killed in Homs
Armed assailants killed Suleiman Abdul Hamid Al-Naisafi, 60, while he was tending his sheep on the road between Jabb Abbas and Al-Shouktaliyah in rural Homs.
06/14/2026 – Mosque and Hussainiya demolished
Authorities demolished a mosque and Hussainiya in the village of Al-Rakka, Homs countryside.
06/14/2026 – Shop owner killed in Damascus
An armed group killed Ghadir Ibrahim after targeting him inside his shop in Jabal Al-Ward, Damascus.
06/16/2026 – Imam Hassan Mosque burned
Extremist militants burned and desecrated the Imam Hassan Al-Mujtaba Mosque in the village of Al-Janiniyat, Homs countryside.
06/18/2026 – Father killed during home raid
Members of the Public Security forces killed Mohammed Ali Al-Jardi after raiding his home in the Salhab area and attempting to assault female members of his family.
06/20/2026 – Young woman abducted in Homs
Shahad Mohsen Hamisha was abducted in Homs. Her whereabouts remain unknown.
06/22/2026 – University student seriously wounded
Armed assailants opened fire on veterinary student Laith Ayman Othman, from Qardaha, at the University of Hama, leaving him critically injured.
06/23/2026 – Two young men killed in Al-Ghab Plain
An armed group killed Bashar Darbala and Saleh Ibrahim in the village of Al-Khandaq in the Al-Ghab Plain.
06/24/2026 – Family of five massacred
An armed group stormed a home in the village of Manjila, Latakia countryside, killing:
- Ghiyath Yassin
- His pregnant wife Abeer Halima
- Their two young children, aged 10 and 3
06/26/2026 – Young woman abducted
Aya Mohammed Al-Samoua, from Kafr village in Tartous countryside, was abducted. Her fate remains unknown.
06/26/2026 – Security raid on village in Homs countryside
Public Security forces carried out raids and searches throughout the village of Marighan, Homs countryside, assaulting residents without apparent cause.
06/27/2026 – Young man killed in Hama
An armed group killed Ibrahim Mashhour Nasif inside his shop in Al-Kharsan village, eastern Hama countryside.
06/27/2026 – Young woman abducted in Damascus
Mais Ali was abducted in Damascus. Her whereabouts remain unknown.
06/27/2026 – Two young men killed in Homs
An armed group killed Mahmoud Al-Abdullah and Yaqoub Ouda in rural Homs.
06/28/2026 – Mother of four abducted
Samar Nidhal, a mother of four from Homs, was abducted. Her fate remains unknown.
06/29/2026 – Religious shrine burned
An armed group burned the shrine of Sheikh Nasser Al-Hakim in the village of Al-Aridah, western Homs countryside.
06/29/2026 – Homes demolished and village displaced
Authorities demolished more than 1,000 homes belonging to residents of Al-Mazra’a village in rural Homs, forcing widespread displacement. Numerous residents were also reportedly assaulted by Public Security forces.
Saudi Arabia
06/25/2026 – Iraqi pilgrim arrested
Saudi security forces arrested an Iraqi pilgrim from Basra after he posted a photograph of the demolished graves of the Imams of Al-Baqi on social media. He was taken to an undisclosed location.
06/27/2026 – Restrictions imposed on Ashura observances in Qatif
Authorities introduced a series of restrictions affecting Ashura commemorations, including:
- Prohibiting Hussaini gatherings at the office of Sayyid Hassan Al-Nimr Al-Sayegh in Dammam.
- Requiring Bahraini visitors crossing the causeway to give verbal pledges that they would not attend Hussainiyas in Qatif.
- Preventing several Hussainiyas from livestreaming religious programs.
- Prohibiting organizers from managing traffic outside Hussainiyas, resulting in significant congestion.
- Banning mourning processions in public spaces and requiring them to remain inside enclosed venues.
- Suspending the historic Al-Shari’ah mourning procession.
- Prohibiting the annual gathering at the Imam Hussein Procession Square in Al-Qal’ah.
- Preventing the “Al-Shibl Al-Hussaini” youth program from being held at Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque in Al-Awamiyah.
06/27/2026 – Restrictions imposed in Al-Ahsa
Authorities also imposed additional restrictions during the Ashura season in Al-Ahsa, including:
- Barring Hussaini reciter Mohammed Bu Jabara from public participation.
- Preventing most Hussainiyas from livestreaming religious ceremonies.
- Prohibiting publication of recorded Ashura programs from several Hussainiyas.
- Continued distribution of sectarian and extremist publications by the organization known as Dar Al-Aal wa Al-Sahb.
- Preventing Ashura mourning ceremonies at Al-Rasoul Al-Aadham Hussainiya in the Al-Dasha neighborhood of Tarout Island.
Iraq
06/06/2026 – Gunfire and vehicle arson in Abu Ghraib
A group of people celebrating Eid Al-Ghadir at a resort in Abu Ghraib came under gunfire from extremist elements. During the attack, one of the participants’ vehicles was set on fire.