ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- A leading member of Yemen's Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Islah party was found killed after being kidnapped on Tuesday in the southern city of Aden, a government official told Xinhua.

Through continuous searching operations, the security forces supported by local citizens found the body of Abdullah Shuaina, an Aden-based politician and an Islah member, in Aden's district of KhorMaksar, the source said on condition of anonymity.

"The security forces and investigators acted after receiving information from citizens who found a parked car with the politician's body inside it near Aden's beach," the source said.

The Aden-based politician was found killed just hours after being kidnapped by masked gunmen near his residential building in the Mansourah district in Aden, the source added.

Shuaina has worked as the chairperson for local charity organizations funded by the Islah party and participated in many decision-making activities in Aden, according to the source.

Yemeni government officials, including high-ranking security commanders and intelligence officers, have been the prime targets of kidnapping as well as armed attacks by unknown gunmen in recent days.

The southern port city of Aden, where the Saudi-backed Yemeni government has based since 2015, is considered as Yemen's temporary capital.

The impoverished Arab country has been locked in a civil war since late 2014, when the Houthi rebels took over all northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa, from the government.