Senior IS leader killed in southern Yemen

A senior Islamic State group leader was killed and three others arrested in a government raid on Saturday in southern Yemen, reported police on Saturday.

Saleh Nasr Fadl al-Bakhshi - a self-proclaimed "emir" of the extremist group's branch in the Aden and Abyan regions - was killed during a raid on an IS hideout in government-held territory, said a senior officer with Aden's police force told AFP.

Extremist groups including IS and al-Qaeda have exploited years of conflict in Yemen to expand their presence in the country's south.

Saudi Arabia formed a coalition to battle against Houthi rebels - allegedly backed by Iran - who took over most of the north including the capital Sanaa in September 2014.

The coalition launched a military campaign to push back the rebels and restore the internationally-recognised government to power.

The campaign has been heavily criticised by rights groups and the international community for its mounting civilian casualties.

In October, the UN placed the Saudi alliance on a "blacklist" for killing and maiming children.

Along with its air campaign, the Saudi-led coalition has imposed periodic blockades on Yemen's ports.

Both actions have killed more than 10,000 people - most of them civilians - and have left more than 18 million in need of aid, according to the UN.

The Saudi-led coalition's war against Houthi rebels has led to the "world's worst humanitarian crisis", the UN said.