KHARTOUM, Sudan 

The Sudanese army continues its advance to seize areas north of Khartoum amid fierce clashes with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Bahri that continued on Friday.

An Anadolu correspondent reported intense fighting on multiple fronts, particularly as the army advanced into the region.

In recent days, the army reclaimed control of much of northern Bahri, including previously RSF-controlled areas such as Halfaia, Shambat, and Kadaru.

The army also made significant strides in central Khartoum, advancing as far as the Al-Maqarin area, where heavy fighting continues for control of the area that includes the presidential palace.

RSF forces, which control much of southern and central Khartoum, are defending their positions with artillery and sniper units stationed in high-rise buildings.

The ongoing conflict has led to mass civilian evacuations from parts of Khartoum, with the army having secured large sections of Omdurman, a city north of Khartoum.

On Sept. 26, the army crossed the Halfaia Bridge over the Nile and launched an offensive in Bahri as part of a larger military operation.

The conflict between the army and the RSF, ongoing since mid-April 2023, has resulted in more than 20,000 deaths and displaced 14 million people, according to the UN and local authorities.

Research from US universities, however, estimates the death toll at around 130,000.   

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi​​​​​​​ in Ankara