The American Embassy in Tirana lowered its flag to half-mast in honor of the victims of the two suicide bombings at Kabul Airport yesterday. The attack, claimed by terrorist group ISIS-K, claimed the lives of over 100 people and injured 140, including women and children. Amongst the casualties were 12 US citizens.
“Our hearts ache for the lives of our heroes, lost in the service of freedom and the service of America, and for the lives of Afghan citizens, lost in search of security and a future to which we all have a right,” a post on the Embassy’s social media said.
The US Embassy also expressed its gratitude to Albania for agreeing to shelter several thousand Afghan refugees who collaborated with the United States.
“In such times, we have no nationality, religion, color, or race. We are human beings who reach out to help human beings like us. Thank you, Albania!”
The first group of Afghans arrived in the country at around 3 am last night. Some 121 people, including women, children, 11 babies, and some men are being evaluated and needs to be assessed before being settled into accommodation. They will be accommodated in dormitories at Student City and also in hotels in Durres.
This morning, Minister of Defense Olta Xhacka said that every Albanian should feel proud today.
“It’s really an exciting moment. These have been very intense days with a lot of work to coordinate a humanitarian operation in record time. But above all, these have been tough days with a lot of concern for the fate of Afghan citizens that we are waiting for because the situation in Kabul has deteriorated a lot.”
Speaking about yesterday’s suicide attacks, she said, “it was precisely the fear of such attacks that pushed us to do our best for these citizens to come to Albania as soon as possible where they are far from danger and far from fear of life.”
She added: “Every Albanian citizen should feel really proud today that once again, we have done what we’ve done many times in our history. Albanians are showing what the true spirit of our people is: solidarity, hospitality, and generosity.”
The Afghans will receive temporary protection status, entitling them to free movement in Albania and protecting them from extradition or deportation. They will remain here until their US visa applications are processed.
