“Today, the American flag at the Embassy is lowered to half-mast as we mourn the American service members who lost their lives in the horrific terrorist attacks in Kabul, while selflessly trying to save the lives of others,” the US Embassy in Tirana said in a statement.

“We also mourn the Afghans, including small children, who died or were wounded in this vicious attack. Our hearts ache for the lives of our heroes, lost in the service of liberty and in the service of America, and the lives of Afghan citizens, lost in search for safety and a future we all have the right to,” the Embassy stated.

“That’s why today our hearts are filled with sorrow, but they are also filled with gratitude. The first group of Afghan citizens who landed last night in Tirana are more than evacuees. They are human lives who were saved from potentially tragic outcomes.  They were women, men, and children who were offered something we all take for granted, a life. The possibility to live and have a future.  And for this, we as the U.S. Embassy in Tirana and the United States, are grateful for the immense generosity and hospitality of Albania and its people. In times like these, we do not have nationalities, religions, colors, or races. We are humans lending a helping hand to our fellow humans. Thank you, Albania,” the Embassy said.

/j.p/u.sh/