The United Arab Emirates confirmed Wednesday that five of its humanitarian workers have died in an attack on a provincial governor's guesthouse in Afghanistan.
The aid workers were in Afghanistan carrying out humanitarian, educational and development work.
Emirati ambassador Juma al-Kaabi was also injured in the Tuesday attack.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the UAE's Prime Minister and Vice President, said that "there is no human, moral or religious justification for the bombing and killing of people trying to help."
"It is with great pride that we mourn the humanitarian workers who were martyred in the Republic of Afghanistan. The lives of five martyrs were cut short as they were seeking to assist the needy."
State news named the deceased as Mohammed Ali Zainal Al Bastaki, Abdullah Mohammed Essa Obaid Al Kaabi, Ahmed Rashid Salim Ali Al Mazroui, Ahmed Abdul Rahman Ahmad Al Tunaiji, and Abdul Hamid Sultan Abdullah Ibrahim Al Hammadi.
The humanitarian workers were visiting the guesthouse of provincial Afghani Gov. Homayun Azizia. At least six others were killed in the blast, in addition to the Emirati casualties.
It remains unclear which group is behind the blast. While the Taliban claimed responsibility for a separate attack earlier in the day, they denied responsibility for the guesthouse blast, blaming local rivalries.
States news said that UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed "mourned, with deep sorrow and grief, the death of a number of UAE's sons who died Tuesday evening as a result of the terrorist bombing." He also ordered the lowering of the UAE flag for three days above all government departments, institutions and ministries to honor those who died.
Mohamed bin Zayed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, called the diplomats heroes
He vowed that this attack would not stop the UAE from "walking the path of giving & charity"
Sheikh Mohammed said Emiratis "are proud of their fellow compatriots who devote their lives to humanitarian work"
"The Emirati people are proud of their fellow compatriots who devote their lives to humanitarian work, and today hold their heads up high for offering martyrs for humanity; humanity terrorists do not recognize."