THE Taliban have seized 65 per cent of Afghanistan’s territory and could control the entire country within a month, some US officials fear. 

An administration source with knowledge of the military’s assessment of the growing crisis reportedly warned on Tuesday: “Everything is moving in the wrong direction."

Determined Taliban fighters emboldened by the US and Western allies executing a formal exit of the country are making sweeping gains across the country – capturing several strategically important cities.

Initially, military officials predicted the country’s capital city of Kabul could fall within six months to a year after troops departed, according to the Washington Post.

But on Tuesday, the U.S. military re-calibrated the timetable, with some officials saying that a collapse of the country to the Taliban could take place within 90 days or possibly within 30 days, the Post reported. 

MASS GRAVES

The extreme Islamic group unleashed a bloody offensive across the country, seizing more than ten provincial capitals as the last US troops have begun their voyage home.

Dozens of Afghan troops were rounded up, executed and dumped in mass graves in territory claimed to be military personnel in Kang District in south-eastern Afghanistan. 

The carnage followed reported Taliban torture. 

Some of the locals who captured the disturbing images which we then posted online claimed that "a number of soldiers who were taken captive after fighting were first tortured, their hands were tied and eyes were gouged." 

BIDEN: 'COME TOGETHER'

President Joe Biden refused to express regret for his decision to pull out of the Middle East country after two decades of war despite the Taliban’s gains, he hoped the country’s people and leaders will defend the preservation of their country. 

“Look, we spent over a trillion dollars over 20 years,” Biden said from the White House.

“We trained and equipped, with modern equipment, over 300,000 Afghan forces. 

“And Afghan leaders have to come together.”

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was in Kabul pursuing support from regional rival militias and hoped civilians would overpower the Taliban to defend Afghanistan's "democratic fabric."

But so far many government fighters appear to be overpowered and outmatched.

CITIES FALLING 

In Aibak, a provincial capital between Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul, Taliban fighters took control of government buildings. 

The bloodshed and erosion of cities going into Taliban control have forced many seeking to flee smaller towns for refuge in Kabul.

"The only way is self-imposed house arrest or to find a way to leave for Kabul," tax officer Sher Mohamed Abbas told the AP when asked about the living conditions in Aibak. 

On Sunday, Taliban fighters took control of the key northern city Kunduz, with a sizeable population of 375,000 and considered to be the most important to lose, along with the cities of Sar-e-Pul and Taloqan.

It comes after they previously took control of the Iranian border city of Zaranaj on Sunday and Sherberghan, which lies near Turkmenistan the day before.

In a fit of victory after taking Zaranaj, Taliban fighters paraded on US-manufactured Afghan army Humvee chanting "Allahu Akbar."

AIR VS. LAND

An air assault was attempting to hold off the Taliban’s ground control, with video showing jets hitting bombing troops and other key targets around Zabul.

Those who were living in the ravaged Lashkar Gah faced mass evacuations as Afghan General Sami Sadat's troops solidified barricades in Helmand Province.

The general used tough talk in describing how the Taliban must be defeated or the country faced "devastating consequences.”

He told residents to "leave as soon as possible so that we can start our operation."

Sadat added: "I know it is very difficult for you to leave your houses – it is hard for us too – but if you are displaced for a few days please forgive us.

"We are fighting the Taliban wherever they are. We will fight them and…we will not leave a single Taliban alive."

They are part of the estimated 400,000 Afghans forced from their homes in recent months.

While many seek refuge in Kabul, over the past 10 days, many have crossed the border into Iran, a European Union official said.

FUTURE OF US EMBASSY?

The fears that a Taliban advance on Kabul could come swiftly that US officials are discussing if it’s prudent to keep the U.S. Embassy operating, according to the Post. 

“Obviously it is a challenging security environment,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said. 

“We are evaluating the threat environment on a daily basis.”

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