People in various provinces including Takhar, Balkh and Baghlan in the north, Badghis in the west, and Parwan in central Afghanistan, have taken up arms to fight the Taliban amid an escalation of violence by the group. 

Public uprising forces commanders in the provinces said they will stand beside the security forces to retake the lost districts. Some politicians said that it is necessary that people have taken up arms to defend the country under the current circumstances. 

President Ashraf Ghani on Monday held a meeting with prominent political leaders, including former mujahideen figures, to discuss the peace process. The meeting comes amid stalled talks and high levels of violence.

Chairman Abdullah Abdullah, Second Vice President Mohammad Sarwar Danesh, National Assembly Speakers Mir Rahman Rahmani and Fzl Hadi Muslimyar, former president Hamid Karzai, former mujahideen leader Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf, former mujahideen leader Mohammad Ismail Khan, former vice president Mohammad Yunus Qanooni, and senior presidential adviser Mohammad Mohaqiq were among key figures who attended the meeting, according to photos published by the Palace.