Aden, Yemen (BBN)-The governor of Yemen’s southern port city of Aden has been killed in a large explosion, officials say.
Jaafar Mohammed Saad and several aides died when their convoy was hit. Some sources say the blast was caused by a rocket propelled grenade, reports BBC.
Islamic State militants later claimed the attack. The group has a presence in Yemen, amid an ongoing civil war.
Houthi rebels based in northern Yemen have seized much of the country, including the capital Sanaa.
Earlier this year Aden was recaptured by government troops backed by a Saudi-led coalition.
Maj-Gen Saad was reported by al-Araby to have been appointed Aden governor in October after playing a prominent role in recapturing the city from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in July.
The latest violence came after the UN envoy to Yemen met President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi in Aden on Saturday, in an effort to bring eight months of civil war to an end.
Air strikes and fighting on the ground in Yemen have killed more than 5,700 people, since the Saudi-led coalition began a campaign to restore the government in March, according to the UN.
The UN hopes to organise talks later this month between the government and the Houthi rebels, who support former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
BBN/SK/AD
