Pres. Joe Biden Does Not Regret Troop Withdrawal From Afghanistan, Says Afghans Must Fight Taliban ‘For Themselves'

President Joe Biden said he does not regret his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan despite the Taliban making rapid territorial gains in the country.

Joe Biden told reporters at the White House Tuesday that Afghan leaders "have to come together" as the Taliban takes control of two thirds of the country, Sky News reported.

The president said Afghans have to "fight for themselves" and "for their nation," adding that the Afghan troops outnumber the Taliban.

According to reports, nine out of Afghanistan's 34 provinces are now under the Taliban's hand as U.S. troops continue to exit the country.

There are mounting fears that Taliban fighters could isolate Afghanistan's capital in around a month and possibly take it over in 90 days.

Joe Biden noted that Washington had already spent more than $1 trillion over 20 years while losing thousands of troops. He said the U.S. would continue with its commitments of providing food, salaries, equipment, and significant air support to Afghan forces.

Joe Biden ordered in April the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11.

U.S. Troops Withdrawal From Afghanistan

John Kirby, a spokesman for the Pentagon, confirmed that the current administration will still provide air support to Afghanistan. However, Kirby noted that there was not much else the U.S. military could do, CNBC reported.

Kirby also said that the Afghan military must now use the years of training from the U.S. and NATO coalition forces. The Pentagon spokesman noted that the Afghan military has an Air Force, while the Taliban does not.

Kirby also said that the country possesses modern weaponry and organization skills. He noted that they have the said advantages, and it is now the time to use those advantages.

Meanwhile, the State Department is looking for ways to downsize the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Ned Price, who is the spokesman for the State Department, said they are evaluating the threat environment on a daily basis, adding that the embassy is in regular contact with Washington.

Taliban Forces Advancing

According to the United Nations (UN), over 1,000 civilians were reported to be killed in the middle of fighting between the Taliban and government forces in the past month.

The UN children's agency Unicef warned that atrocities against children were rising by the day, BBC News reported. In 24 hours, the Taliban militants had seized three more provincial capitals, namely Faizabad, Farah, and Pul-e-Khumri.

The militant group also seized the key northern city of Kunduz, which is considered a gateway to mineral-rich provinces. Kunduz is in a strategically important location, with it being close to the border with Tajikistan. The border is usually used for the smuggling of heroin and opium.

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani has flown to Mazar-i-Sharif on Wednesday to rally the defenders in Kunduz.

One woman, who left Kunduz as the Taliban took the area, said they saw bodies lying near a prison with dogs near them. According to residents, government forces retreated to the airport while shops continue to open around the area.

A ceasefire was not in sight as the militant group has rejected calls from international leaders. UK Chief of the Defense Staff Gen. Sir Nick Carter said that conditions could rise to international terrorism and violent extremism.

In Kabul, many families chose to stay in the capital as the Taliban continue to advance. Families were living in parks and streets with little to no food or water.

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: President Biden Urges Afghanistan to "Fight for Themselves" as Taliban Seizes More Territory - From CBS This Morning