The Taliban have moved to within 65 kilometres of the capital of Afghanistan - Kabul.
Militants have taken control of dozens of key cities in the country in just two weeks.
Hundreds of US troops are arriving in the country to evacuate thousands of people - mostly diplomatic staff.
Nearly a quarter of a million people in Afghanistan have had to flee their homes due to the intensifying Taliban advance.
Afghanistan's President, Ashraf Ghani, has insisted government forces will be able to fight back.
The UN, meanwhile, says the country is "spinning out of control" as the Taliban advance continues.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres 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."
He has called on the Taliban to now halt their offensive in the country.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs here has confirmed a "small number" of Irish citizens are currently in Afghanistan.
They're receiving consular assistance from the Irish embassy in Abu Dhabi.
The Department is advising any Irish people in the country to leave immediately.
