A motorcycle explosion shook the southern Iraqi city of Basra on Tuesday, killing at least four people and wounding several others, local officials said.
The explosion took place near a hospital in the city center of the predominantly Shi'ite Muslim city, the official said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
Basra's Governor Assad Al-Idani said that the blast had also set two cars ablaze. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the explosion.
Neighboring Turkey quickly issued a statement condemning the "heinous act of terrorism," also extending its condolences for those who lost their lives and wishing a swift recovery to the injured.
"Regardless of its source, Turkey will continue to stand by the Iraqi people and government in its fight against terrorism," said a Foreign Ministry statement.
The oil-rich Basra province is relatively calm compared to the country’s northern and western provinces, where the terror group Daesh/ISIS still maintains sleeper cells.
The oil-rich Basra province is relatively calm compared to the country’s northern and western provinces where Daesh/ISIS still maintains sleeper cells.