Afghanistan is now "spinning out of control", the UN Secretary-General has warned.
He said it's "horrifying and heartbreaking" to see reports of Afghan girls and women having their rights "ripped away from them" as the Taliban continues its advance through the country.
The militant group has claimed large areas of territory and several large cities and regional capitals over the last week.
The latest reports indicate there's heavy fighting in the city of Mara-i-Sharif - the largest northern Afghan city still under government control.
Clashes are also being reported in cities closer and closer to Kabul, while the Taliban is now in control of a city just 80 kilometres of the capital.
Around a quarter of a million people have been forced to leave their homes so far, with over 1,000 civilians reported to have been killed or injured over the last month.
Countries including the US and the UK are in the process of evacuating their citizens and diplomats from the country.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says there are a "small number" of Irish citizens in Afghanistan, with the Embassy of Ireland in Abu Dhabi providing consular assistance to them.
The latest developments come as the US continues its withdrawal of troops from the country - a decision Joe Biden has defended in recent days.
Some international politicians have criticised Western powers for failing to support the people of Afghanistan as troops are withdrawn.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the people of Afghanistan "have been shamefully abandoned", with "horrifying" implications for women and children in particular.
"Horrifying and heartbreaking"
Meanwhile, the UN is warning of a growing humanitarian crisis due to overcrowded hospitals, dwindling food and medical supplies, and critical infrastructure being destroyed.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on the Taliban to immediately halt their offensive in the country.
He said: "This is the moment to halt the offensive. This is the moment to start serious negotiation.
"This is the moment to avoid a prolonged civil war or the isolation of Afghanistan."
Mr Guterres described the current situation as another "chaotic and desperate chapter" in Afghanistan's history, and an "incredible tragedy for its long-suffering people" after generations of conflict.
He said: "I am also deeply disturbed by early indications that the Taliban are imposing severe restrictions on human rights in the areas under their control, particularly targeting women and journalists.
"It is particularly horrifying and heartbreaking to see reports of the hard-won rights of Afghan girls and women being ripped away from them."
A woman who moved from Afghanistan to Ireland after the US invasion told Lunchtime Live yesterday that her entire family is living in fear as the Taliban continues its advance.
