- Title: USA-SEPT. 11/AFGHANISTAN NATO troops in Afghanistan mark September 11 anniversary
- Date: 11th September 2015
- Summary: WREATH RIBBON ON WREATH READING (English): "SEPTEMBER 11, 2015" VARIOUS OF NATO SOLDIERS BOWING HEADS U.S. AND AFGHAN FLAGS (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMMANDER OF NATO FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN U.S. GENERAL JOHN CAMPBELL, SAYING: "Today we commemorate the 14th anniversary of the terrorists' attacks of September 11, 2001. As we conduct our mission here in Afghanistan pursuing our nation's vital interest it is important to reflect on the reasons why we came here, recount what we have accomplished and fortify ourselves for what lies ahead. 14 years ago our world forever changed when terrorists struck our American homeland. When the attack was over almost 3000 men, women and children representing over 90 countries, diverse cultures, many different religions, had perished." PEOPLE STANDING (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMMANDER OF NATO FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN U.S. GENERAL JOHN CAMPBELL, SAYING: "The cost of our continued commitment in Afghanistan is considerable. And as we learned the 9/11 the cost of not maintaining a forward (indistinct) presence could be far more costly. Together we will protect our homelands and help the Afghan people build a more stable and secure future." NATO SOLDIERS AT THE CEREMONY VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS WALKING PAST
- Embargoed: 26th September 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Afghanistan
- Country: Afghanistan
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVABIDXS7YA9V16NE9LQZKRECEYJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: NATO soldiers stationed in Afghanistan on Friday (September 11) marked the 14th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States, in remembrance of the victims and those who sacrificed their lives in the subsequent "war on terror".
"Today we commemorate the 14th anniversary of the terrorists' attacks of September 11, 2001. As we conduct our mission here in Afghanistan pursuing our nation's vital interest it is important to reflect on the reasons why we came here, recount what we have accomplished and fortify ourselves for what lies ahead. 14 years ago our world forever changed when terrorists struck our American homeland. When the attack was over almost 3000 men, women and children representing over 90 countries, diverse cultures, many different religions, had perished," said U.S. General John Campbell, commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
The coordinated suicide attacks were carried out by 19 Muslim extremists, who hijacked planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field.
The 19 hijackers were killed in the suicide attacks, for which Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda claimed credit, leading to the U.S. war in Afghanistan and indirectly to the invasion of Iraq.
Campbell spoke of the NATO military presence in Afghanistan.
"The cost of our continued commitment in Afghanistan is considerable. And as we learned the 9/11 the cost of not maintaining a forged presence could be far more costly. Together we will protect our homelands and help the Afghan people build a more stable and secure future," he said.
U.S. forces killed the al Qaeda leader in May 2011 in a surprise raid on bin Laden's hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan, ending a nearly 10-year hunt for bin Laden following the September 11, 2001 attacks. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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