A Yemeni army brigade linked to Shiite rebels seized Aden's airport Wednesday as anti-government fighters advanced on the southern city where President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi has taken refuge, witnesses said.

They said soldiers of the 39th Armoured Brigade posted near the airport had taken control of the facility, after switching their allegiance to the rebels.

Rebels television channel Al-Massira said the army unit had "secured the airport".

Clashes later erupted near the airport between units of the brigade and armed men, witnesses said.

Paramilitary forces allied with Hadi, known as Popular Committees, had earlier withdrawn from the airport, which suspended its operations Wednesday.