In an invitation to Afghan forces to respond with the help of the United States, White House spokeswoman Jane Saki announced today that U.S. President Joe Biden does not consider the Taliban takeover of Kabul inevitable.

During a briefing, Saki said, "The President continues to believe that Taliban control of Kabul or the country is not inevitable and that at this stage the political will to respond must be demonstrated."

"President Biden's view is that (Afghan forces) must now use the training provided to them," she added.

Earlier, an EU official said that the Taliban now controlled 65% of the country.

Today, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani instructed the arming of civilians to confront the Taliban, stressing the need to continue fighting against the movement's militants.

Today, the Afghan Ministry of Defence announced a successful response to the Movement's armed attack on the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, after the Taliban claimed to attack Mazar-i-Sharif, the largest city in northern Afghanistan and the capital of Balkh State.

An Afghan army statement confirmed the conduct of airstrikes against Taliban militants in the State of Balkh, declaring 18 movement killed and 13 injured.

In a related context, United States aviation bombed Taliban positions in several locations, including Najrab Directorate, Kabisa State, and Helmand.

At present, the Afghan scene is witnessing bloody confrontations between the Government and the Taliban, which have declared control over large areas of the country, covering more than 150 regions throughout the country, as well as border crossings with Tajikistan and border checkpoints with Iran and Turkmenistan.

Confrontations between Afghan security forces and Taliban militants escalated, coinciding with the start of the withdrawal of American and NATO forces, early last May, which is due to be completed by 11 September.

To date, the Taliban control the capitals of 6 States, according to the Movement, namely, Ipek, the capital of Samangan State, and Talakan, the capital of Khiar Province, as well as the capitals of Nimroz, Jozgan, Sari-Pul and Kunduz States.

It should be noted that, beginning today, the Qatari capital of Doha is hosting a new round of negotiations between the Afghan Government and the Taliban on accelerating peace talks and ending the ongoing violence in Afghanistan.

Doha also hosts a meeting of the expanded "troika" (Russia, China, United States and Pakistan) on Afghanistan.