Dozens of women who lacked male accompaniment were prevented from traveling at the Kabul airport, the Associated Press reported, citing two Afghan Airline officials privy to the issue. 

AP quoted the two officials, who wished to go unnamed due to “fear of repercussions” from the Afghan Airline, as saying that these women arrived at Kabul Airport on Friday but were not allowed to board on to both domestic and international flights because they lack a male accompanying them.

Some of these women had dual nationalities including some from Canada, AP said, citing sources.   

However, on Saturday some of the women were granted permission to board an Ariana Airlines flight to the western province of Herat, though they had missed their flights by then, the officials told AP.  

But head of Ariana Airlines, Rahmatullah Agha, told TOLOnews that there was no problem for women on flights and that they have not received any statement in this regard.  

“Now you can go to the airport. Our flights are normal as before. No one has called us about such an issue and neither told us verbally,” he said.  

Analysts believes that such actions will cause negative consequences.  

“The result of this domestic action will cause a serious international reaction which will affect our political engagement” said Sayed Masoud, a university instructor.  

Meanwhile, some travel agencies, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told TOLOnews that they have received instructions from the airlines which prevents the sale of tickets to women who travel without males. 

“A lot of women don’t have a male guardian. Either their husband and son have been martyred or lives abroad. This problem must be immediately solved,” said Gulali Akbari, a former member of the parliament.  

A TOLOnews reporter was unable to obtain any comment from the Islamic Emirate.