The Taliban issued a statement Wednesday saying they did not plant a bomb that went off in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and wounded the UAE ambassador to the country and a number of diplomats. 

The group instead blamed an "internal local rivalry" for the attack, according to ABC News.

The UAE says five of its diplomats were also killed in the bombing.

The UAE said on Wednesday it will fly the nation's flags at half-mast in their honor.

Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE's prime minister and vice president, said on Twitter that "there is no human, moral or religious justification for the bombing and killing of people trying to help" others.

Afghan officials previously said the blast killed five people and wounded 12. Among the wounded were Kandahar Gov. Homayun Azizia, as well as UAE Ambassador Juma Mohammed Abdullah al-Kaabi.

Source: MENA