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

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

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," a doctor we are calling Mustafa tells the BBC. "The clashes these days are heavy".