As the US government continues to negotiate with the Taliban in hopes of reaching a peace deal to end the war of 18 years between the two sides, the insurgent group is putting pressure on its negotiation partner through offensive actions in Afghanistan.

The latest charge occurred on Monday, when Taliban militants launched an assault on an Afghan National Army company, killing 16 soldiers and capturing the remaining 40. The attack was part of a weeklong effort by the Taliban to conquer territory in the Badghis province in the northwestern part of the country. A provincial official warned that “the district is on the verge of collapse,” adding that “the fighting has gone on for a week, but the government is not paying any attention.”