ISIL claims blast that killed Yemen governor

Officials said the governor of the province of Aden in southern Yemen and six of his bodyguards were killed in a massive explosion Sunday that was claimed by a local Islamic State affiliate.

Gov. Gaafar Mohamed Saad was traveling to his office when his convoy was hit in the Rimbaud area of the city, the security officials said, according to the Associated Press.

An affiliate of the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, claimed the attack in an online statement that referred to Saad as a “tyrant,” and said a bomb was hidden in a parked car along the convoy's route.

Saad was appointed governor in October after playing an important role in liberating Aden from Shiite rebels known as Houthis, al-Araby reported.

ISIL has claimed a number of bombings that killed 159 people and wounded 345 in Yemen this year, the AP reported.

Saad is said to have been close to internationally recognized President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who returned to Aden in September after fleeing for Saudi Arabia in March as Houthis and their allies advanced on the city.

In July, the rebels were driven out of Aden by government forces and militias loyal to them. They still control the capital Sanaa and large parts of the north of the country. A Saudi-led coalition began launching airstrikes against the Houthis in March.