Sudan's army and its allies say that they are close to regaining full control of Khartoum, recording the most significant victory by far over the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since their war began nearly two years ago.

A lighting offensive has reversed months of setbacks for the government while rebel discipline shows signs of fraying after nearly two years of civil war.

The Sudanese army said on Wednesday its forces had made strategic advances in Khartoum after heavy fighting with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), while clashes intensified in other parts of the country.

Residents of Sudan's capital Khartoum say the army has recaptured large parts of the city from RSF paramilitaries, marking its biggest victory in a year. "Shrapnel and stray ammunition are falling on my neighbourhood,