ADEN, Yemen, May 3 (Xinhua) -- A Yemeni government official was found dead in Aden on Sunday, with his body bearing multiple gunshot wounds, a security official told Xinhua.
The local security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Wissam Qaed, deputy executive director of the Social Fund for Development, was kidnapped earlier in the day by unidentified gunmen near his residence.
The circumstances surrounding the killing remain unclear, and no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction or subsequent death.
Established in 1997, the Social Fund for Development operates under the Yemeni government and reports directly to the Cabinet, playing a key role in development and poverty reduction programs. Qaed had served as the deputy executive director since 2019.
The incident underscores persistent security challenges in Aden despite efforts by authorities to stabilize the city.
Yemen has been mired in conflict since 2014, when Houthi forces seized the capital Sanaa, triggering a prolonged war that has weakened state institutions and fueled instability. ■
