McKee Orders Flags Lowered To Honor U.S. Troops Killed In Kabul

PROVIDENCE, RI — Gov. Dan McKee ordered all U.S. and Rhode Island flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings to pay respect for the U.S. service members and others who were killed in Thursday's terrorist attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan.

McKee said the flag will remain lowered until sunset on Monday, Aug. 30, in accordance with President Joe Biden's directive.

"We are devastated by the tragic loss of American service members and Afghan civilians in Kabul," McKee said in a statement. "On behalf of the State of Rhode Island, I offer my deepest condolences to their families and loved ones. We owe a debt of gratitude to everyone risking their lives to bring people to safety."

McKee also asked Rhode Islanders to lower their flags as a sign of respect.

Thursday's bombings in Kabul killed more than 170 people, an official with Afghanistan's ministry of health told CNN. The Pentagon confirmed 13 U.S. service members were killed, and another 18 were injured.