The UN has called for safe passage for trapped civilians out of the Sudanese city of el-Fasher after paramilitary fighters announced they had seized control of the army's main base there.
Sudan's military has not acknowledged loss of the site, which would be a significant victory for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing civil war.
UN chief António Guterres said the latest fighting marked a terrible escalation in the conflict, adding that the suffering of civilians was unbearable, AFP news agency reports.
El-Fasher is the last army foothold in the vast western region of Darfur and has been besieged by the RSF and its allies for 18 months.
Heavy fighting has occurred since Saturday after RSF fighters captured the home of the North Darfur governor.
UN Human rights chief Volker Türk warned that the risk of further large-scale, ethnically motivated violations and atrocities in el-Fasher is mounting by the day.
The Sudanese Doctors' Network reported that the RSF had already carried out ethnically motivated killings of dozens of people in the city and had looted medical facilities and pharmacies.
Imran Abdullah, an adviser to the RSF commander, denied the group's fighters were targeting civilians, claiming they protect those fleeing conflict.
Social media videos verified by the BBC now show RSF combatants celebrating the capture of the army's el-Fasher headquarters.
They claim to have seized full control of the city, but the army's local allies say fighting continues in some parts.
Communication lines to el-Fasher have been almost completely cut off, and those who managed to flee endure harrowing hours filled with fear and uncertainty.
Civilians must be allowed safe passage and access to aid, according to UN's top humanitarian official Tom Fletcher, who expressed alarm at reports of civilian casualties.
The US has echoed this call for safe passage and is attempting to negotiate a ceasefire.
Since the outbreak of conflict in 2023, Sudan has faced a humanitarian crisis, with over 150,000 people dead and 12 million displaced.
}
