(VOVworld) – A Yemen security official says Shiite Houthi rebels and their allies seized the presidential palace in the southern coastal city of Aden on Thursday despite a week of air strikes carried out by a Saudi-led coalition.

A Houthi Shiite rebel carries his weapon to protest against Saudi-led airstrikes, during a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Wednesday, April 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

According to the official, armored vehicles carrying dozens of Houthi gunmen advanced on President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi's palace, which is perched atop a rocky hill that juts into the Arabian Sea. Intense fighting was underway late Thursday as Hadi's loyalists were held on to scattered parts of Aden after losing the palace and the city centre.

President Hadi was staying at the Maasheeq palace in Aden before he fled to Saudi Arabia last week dislodged by the Houthi advance.

Exchange of fire between President Hadi’s supporters and the rebels continues in the streets of Aden. On Thursday alone, at least 44 people were reported killed in Aden.