Lebanese aid worker gunned down in Yemen

A Lebanese aid worker has been shot dead in the war-torn southern Yemeni city of Taiz, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced Saturday.

Hanna Lahoud, who was in charge of prisoners' affairs in Yemen, was gunned down while travelling to a prison in the city. His car came under attack from unknown gunmen.

"I'm shocked, outraged and profoundly saddened by the killing of my colleague and friend Hanna Lahoud," tweeted Robert Mardini, Middle East director for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

"We @ICRC condemn this senseless act in the strongest possible terms," he wrote. "My thoughts go out to Hanna's wife and family in #Lebanon."

Lahoud died of his wounds in hospital, while his colleagues in the same car were unharmed, the Red Cross said in a statement.

The aid worker was killed by multiple gunshots to the heart, according to a hospital source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The attack took place in the Zabab district of Taiz, completely shattering the back window of the car, an AFP photographer at the scene said.

Most of Taiz is controlled by pro-government forces loyal to Saudi-based Yemen President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi. Houthi rebels control most of the surrounding area.

"He saved hundreds of lives as a volunteer for the Lebanese Red Cross. He made silly jokes. He had a wonderful voice... He also beat cancer 2 years ago. Today an idiot took his life," tweeted ICRC regional spokeswoman Marie Claire Feghali.

Around 10,000 people have been killed in Yemen since a Saudi-led military coalition intervened in March 2015, to aid the government after Houthi rebels took over much of the country.

The United Nations said the conflict has triggered the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with over 22 million people dependent on aid and 8.4 million on the verge of famine.