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, BBC reported.

Sudan's military has not acknowledged the loss of the site, which would be a significant victory for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing civil war. 

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 been reported since Saturday after RSF fighters captured the home of the North Darfur governor, according to BBC.