Sudan's military chief has confirmed the army's withdrawal from its last western stronghold of el-Fasher after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) declared control of the city, BBC reported.

In a televised address, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said he had approved the withdrawal in response to the "systematic destruction and killing of civilians".

He said he had agreed with local leaders to "leave and go to a safe place to protect the remaining citizens and the rest of the city from destruction".

The UN has raised the alarm over reports of atrocities committed by the RSF in recent days, and has called for safe passage for trapped civilians, according to BBC.