US, NATO fly flags at half-staff to honor victims of Kabul airport attack


Flags at the US Capitol and NATO headquarters are being flown at half-staff Friday in honor of the US service members and others killed in the bombing outside the Kabul airport on Thursday. 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered the lowering of the flags Thursday, hours after it was revealed that at least 13 US service members were killed along with dozens of Afghans.

“Today, I ordered flags at the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff in honor of the U.S. Servicemembers & others killed in the terrorist attack outside of the Kabul airport,” she said in a tweet.

“Congress & the Country pray for all the innocent lives lost, those injured & the families of all affected.” 

On Friday morning, Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary-general of NATO, announced a similar order. 

The US flag flies at half-staff over the White House to honor the victims of the bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport.
The US flag flies at half-staff over the White House to honor the victims of the bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport.
AFP via Getty Images

“The flags of all 30 Allies are flying at half-mast at #NATO Headquarters following the appalling terrorist attack outside #Kabul airport,” he said. “We mourn all the victims. We honour the U.S. personnel who lost their lives getting others to safety — they will never be forgotten.” 

The bombing came as the US and other countries complete their evacuation efforts and troop withdrawals from Afghanistan. The US is expected to completely withdraw by Aug. 31. 

NATO flags were lowered to half-staff.
NATO flags were lowered to half-staff.
Twitter

Since the Taliban took control of Kabul and much of Afghanistan nearly two weeks ago, the US has been scrambling to evacuate all American citizens and as many Afghan allies as possible.

On Friday, the White House announced that approximately 105,000 people have been evacuated by US troops since Aug. 14. 

Around 1,500 Americans were expected to still be in the country as of Wednesday.

Medical and hospital staff bring an injured man on a stretcher for treatment after a bombing outside the airport in Kabul on Aug. 26, 2021.
Medical and hospital staff bring an injured man on a stretcher for treatment after a bombing outside the airport in Kabul on Aug. 26, 2021.
AFP via Getty Images

Biden administration officials have come under fire this week for using vague language about the exact number left. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the exact number of Americans still in Afghanistan has been hard to pin down, as US citizens are not required to register with the government and some may wish to stay in the country. 

As the US troop withdrawal nears, Blinken has claimed there is “no deadline” to help evacuate American citizens from Afghanistan. 

The flag was lowered to half-staff at the US Capitol.
The flag was lowered to half-staff at the US Capitol.
Office of Nancy Pelosi

On Thursday, President Biden blamed ISIS for the deadly bombing, vowing to respond with “force and precision.”

“We will not be deterred by terrorists. We will not let them stop our mission. We will continue the evacuation,” Biden said.

“To those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay … We will respond with force and precision at our time and the place we choose and the moment of our choosing.”