ERBIL — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani decried the deadly attack in Iraq’s Karbala on Friday which killed 12 people and injured five others.

“The Prime Minister extended his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for those injured in the attack,” reads an official press release.

“Prime Minister Barzani affirmed Kurdistan Region’s solidarity with the people of Iraq and noted Kurdistan Regional Government’s commitment to work with the government in Baghdad to promote peace and security.”

The blast took place as a minibus was passing through an Iraqi army checkpoint towards the town of al-Hilla, after a passenger left a bag containing explosives under one of the seats and exited the bus, a security source told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.