European Union: "Taliban" Controls 65% of Afghanistan

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An EU official stated that Taliban fighters now control "65 % of Afghanistan" after "a series of surprise raids", at a time where US forces are withdrawing their troops from the country. 

Aides of President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul divulged that he has requested the help of regional militias to help defend the government. He has also appealed to civilians to "defend the country's democratic fabric."

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki stated that Afghan forces should take advantage of the training and assistance that has been provided to them. 

She added: "The president continues to believe that it is not inevitable that the Taliban takes over Kabul or the country and that they need to show political will at this point to push back."

Furthermore, residents claim that the Taliban is consolidating its grip in the city of Aybak, the capital of Semankan province, which is located on the key road between Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul. 

A provincial tax official divulged that Taliban fighters arrived at his office and told employees to go home. He and other residents said they had not seen or heard of any fighting on Tuesday. 

The Taliban's objective appears to be seizing control of the major border crosses in the north, west, and south and eventually closing the gap surrounding Kabul.

On Monday, the Taliban, who are fighting to destabilize the US-backed government, overtook the city of Aybek.

The government has pulled its forces from difficult-to-defend rural areas in order to focus on significant heavily populated blocks, while officials have urged Pakistan to stop aiding the Taliban and stop supplies flowing across the porous border. On its account, Pakistan has repeatedly denied supporting the Taliban. 

The US initiated air attacks in support of government forces but warned it was up to Afghan forces to keep the country safe.