NATO’s Secretary-General today ensured that the Allies continue to side with the United States, as they did 25 years ago, after the attacks of September 11, 2001.
© Lusa
11/09/2026
by
Lusa
Na message released on social media, Mark Rutte states that on the 25th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, NATO “honors the memory of all those who have lost their lives”.
The NATO Secretary-General recalls that, after the attacks, the “Allies remained united” and, for the “first and only time” in the history of the Alliance, activated Article 5, which establishes the principle of collective defense in the event of an attack.
“ America’s friends and allies in NATO were with you at the time and continue to be with you today,” he says.
The United States today marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the most deadly terrorist attack committed in U.S. territory that caused nearly 3,000 deaths, including nine Portuguese and Portuguese victims.
The 11 September attacks triggered profound changes in the United States' foreign and security policy, but also worldwide, including the launch of the so-called ‘war on terrorism’ and military intervention in Afghanistan.
It was the only time that Article 5 of NATO, which provides for a solidarity clause and stipulates that an armed attack on an Alliance member country is regarded as a targeted attack on everyone, was activated.
On September 11, 2001, two planes hijacked by Al-Qaida terrorists hit the World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York City, causing the buildings to collapse two hours after impact, while a third device hit the Pentagon outside Washington.
A fourth plane, believed to have targeted the Capitol (Congress Headquarters) or the White House (United States Presidency), crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew members tried to regain control of the aircraft.