Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Monday entered Wad Madani, a city southeast of the capital that had taken in many displaced people and served as an aid hub over eight months of war, witnesses and RSF fighters said.

The RSF has been advancing through western and central areas in its eight-month-old war against Sudan's army and its approach on Wad Madani has caused thousands of people to flee. The city lies in an important agricultural region in a country facing worsening hunger.

There was no immediate comment from the army.

Videos posted by the RSF showed fighters in pick-up trucks driving along city streets and over a bridge across the Blue Nile.

In one video, RSF fighters carrying rifles stood with their arms around Coptic priests, who said they had not been able to flee but asked the RSF for help leaving the city.

The videos were not verified by Reuters.

The war between the army and the RSF has displaced nearly 7 million people, left the capital in ruins, caused a major humanitarian crisis and triggered waves of ethnically driven killings in Darfur.

(With input from Reuters)