Clashes between government forces and the Taliban intensified in the city of Lashkargah in southern Helmand province, leaving some streets of the city empty of residents and adding to concerns about rising threats to major capitals.

The frontline was in District 1 where the US conducted an airstrike on Monday morning that left seven Taliban killed, according to the Defense Ministry.

President Ashraf Ghani addressed a joint special session of the National Assembly on Monday to speak on the current situation in the country, saying “we have paid a high price for peace” but still the nation faces war. 

“We have paid a high price for peace and showed great gentleness, but instead war was imposed on us,” President Ghani said, indirectly referring to the release of the 5,000 Taliban prisoners by the Afghan government earlier in the peace process.