The Pentagon is apologizing for a video in which a U.S. soldier jokes about being in an “unknown, undisclosed location,” points to the flag of Qatar and makes a funny face.
Two soldiers, one male and one female, were attempting to record a video promoting a ball celebrating the Army’s June 14 birthday, and appeared to be mocking themselves, laughing about flubbing their lines in the style of outtakes.
But Qatari officials saw it as a sign of disrespect for their flag.
One tweet directed at the U.S. ambassador to Qatar said, “As Qatari’s we dont [sic] accept expatriates to offend us in our own country or offend our flag.”
U.S. Ambassador to Qatar Dana Shell Smith has apologized on Twitter. At the Pentagon, spokesman Peter Cook read a short statement apologizing for the the video, and how it was perceived. “We sincerely regret any offense the video may have caused in Qatar. We have great respect for the state of Qatar and its people and an overwhelming positive friendship we share with our Qatari partners.”
Cook said the Pentagon was still looking into the circumstances of the video that was posted on social media and indicated the soldier involved could be reprimanded or punished.
“We hold members of the the U.S. military to the highest standards of personal conduct and we will take appropriate action,” Cook said.
