US: No 'disrespect' to victims of terror attacks in Turkey

By Esra Kaymak Avci

WASHINGTON

The Obama administration is drawing criticisms for lowering U.S. flags to half-staff following attacks in Brussels but not affording the same honor to victims of similar attacks in Turkey.

"It is in no way, should be interpreted as showing any disrespect," said State Department spokesman Mark Toner.

Saying the U.S. had expressed condolences and offered assistance to Turkish authorities after attacks there, Toner said he did not know why the U.S. specifically decided to bring its flags to half-staff for casualties of terror attacks in Belgium, but not for those killed in Ankara and Istanbul.

President Barack Obama on Tuesday had ordered flags to be flown at half-staff -- just hours after at least 31 people were killed and more than 100 others were injured in multiple explosions at an airport and metro station in Brussels.

But following a blast in Istanbul on March 19 that killed five people, including a suicide bomber, and injured 39 others, no such order was given by the White House.

Prior to that, the White House did not honor the victim of two other separate attacks in February and March that killed more than 60 victims in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

By Esra Kaymak Avci

WASHINGTON

The Obama administration is drawing criticisms for lowering U.S. flags to half-staff following attacks in Brussels but not affording the same honor to victims of similar attacks in Turkey.

"It is in no way, should be interpreted as showing any disrespect," said State Department spokesman Mark Toner.

But following a blast in Istanbul on March 19 that killed five people, including a suicide bomber, and injured 39 others, no such order was given by the White House.

Prior to that, the White House did not honor the victim of two other separate attacks in February and March that killed more than 60 victims in the Turkish capital of Ankara.