Acting Minister of Defense Gen. Bismillah Mohammadi on Saturday said that the Afghan people and the government will not allow the Taliban to takeover the country through military pressure.

He said that losing territory during the war is a natural phenomenon, but territory never determines the fate of the conflict.

“The Taliban will not reach to their goals through violence. They only add to the pain and suffering of our people. But they will not reach to their evil goal. We are fully committed to defend Afghanistan,” said Mohammadi.

Mohammadi made the remarks during the graduation ceremony of 135 Afghan Special Force members in Kabul. The new officers will soon be deployed to the frontlines.

“We will not allow anyone to rule our country and soil until we are alive,” said a newly Special Force graduate Sayed Tawala.

“The Afghan people must be assured,” said Sakina, a Special Force officer.

The graduation comes at a time that the Taliban have taken over 200 districts in the past two months.

“Losing territory or a geography during war is a normal thing. Everyone knows that territory is being exchanged during the war, but it does not determine the main thing,” said Mohammadi.

“We will defend till last drop our blood and will not permit the enemy to get to its evil objective,” said Khaled Amiri, the commander of Special Forces of the Afghan National Army (ANA).

Violence dramatically increased in Afghanistan following the US announcement of withdrawing its forces from the country by August 31st.