New York, Sep 11 (AP) The US is set to mark the 20th anniversary of the Sept 11 attacks Saturday with commemorations at New York's World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The milestone anniversary takes place just weeks after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the return to power of the Taliban, the faction that sheltered the Muslim militant group founded by Osama bin Laden that carried out the attacks.

Also Read | 20th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks: US President Joe Biden Commemorates Victims, Calls for Unity.

It was also happening amid continuing concern over the COVID-19 pandemic, which has now killed more than 11 times as many people in New York City as the nearly 3,000 that perished in the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.

President Joe Biden is scheduled to travel to all three sites of the 2001 attacks.

Also Read | Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal Re-Opens for Devotees After Second Wave of COVID-19.

Former President George W. Bush is expected to speak at the Pennsylvania memorial. Other observances are planned around the country. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)