United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called on Taliban militants to immediately halt their offensive against government forces and return to the negotiating table in good faith, in the interest of Afghanistan and its people.

The top UN official told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York that humanitarian needs were "growing by the hour" and the country was largely spinning out of control.

"Even for a country that has tragically known generations of conflict, Afghanistan is in the throes of yet another chaotic and desperate chapter – an incredible tragedy for its long-suffering people," he said, noting that more than 1,000 people have been killed or injured from indiscriminate attacks against civilians, notably in Helmand, Kandahar and Herat provinces, in just the past month.

The UN chief noted the fighting between Taliban and Afghan security forces for control of cities and towns, was "causing tremendous harm."

"At least 241,000 people have been forced to flee from their homes ... Hospitals are overflowing. Food and medical supplies are dwindling. Roads, bridges, schools, clinics and other critical infrastructure are being destroyed," he added.

"Continued urban conflict will mean continued carnage," he said, with civilians inevitably paying the highest price.

"I call on all parties to take heed of the conflict's heavy toll and its devastating impact on civilians. They all must do more to protect civilians."

The Pentagon said on Friday that Afghan Taliban militants are trying to isolate the country's capital city Kabul and the situation on the ground is "deeply concerning."

"We are certainly concerned by the speed with which the Taliban has been moving," Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters in a press briefing. "It's deeply concerning."

He said that the insurgent group is trying to isolate Kabul, while noting the capital city currently is not "in an imminent threat environment."

He reiterated that the Afghan forces, which the United States will continue to support, are capable of making a difference on the ground. "This is a moment for the Afghans to unite, the leadership and in the military. No outcome has to be inevitable here."

The Pentagon announced Thursday that three infantry battalions, about 3,000 troops, will be deployed to Kabul airport within 48 hours to support U.S. embassy staff reduction and Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) applicants evacuation given the Taliban's rapid offensive across the country.

"Some elements of one of the Marine infantry battalions are already there in Kabul," Kirby said. "And I expect that by the end of the weekend the bulk of the 3,000 ... will be in place."

CNN reported on Friday that the U.S. Embassy in Kabul is instructing personnel to destroy sensitive materials and items like embassy logos and American flags "which could be misused in propaganda efforts." The State Department said it was part of the standard procedure applied when minimizing the U.S. footprint.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Thursday that U.S. personnel in Kabul will reduce to "a core diplomatic presence" in the coming weeks.

The situation in the war-torn country has been worsening since the withdrawal of U.S.-led troops starting on May 1. Many Afghan cities and about half of the country's 34 provinces in recent weeks have seen heavy battles and street fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban militants.

President Joe Biden ordered the U.S. military to end its mission in Afghanistan by the end of this month, and he said he did not regret the pullout decision earlier this week.

(With input from Xinhua)