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President Donald Trump’s feedback on Thursday about Nato soldiers combating in Afghanistan angered many veterans and politicians
Donald Trump has praised UK soldiers who fought in Afghanistan after feedback made by the president that allied forces prevented the entrance traces prompted criticism from veterans and politicians.
Earlier this week Trump angered US allies by downplaying the position of Nato troops in the warfare and doubted whether or not the army alliance could be there for the US “if we ever needed them”.
Trump’s phrases drew condemnation from worldwide allies, whereas Sir Keir Starmer referred to as them “insulting and frankly appalling”.
The UK prime minister spoke to Trump on Saturday, after which the US president used his Truth Social platform to reward UK troops as being “among the greatest of all warriors”.
Trump was criticised for remarks he made throughout an interview with Fox News on Thursday in which the president mentioned of Nato troops: “We’ve never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them.
“They’ll say they despatched some troops to Afghanistan… and so they did, they stayed slightly again, slightly off the entrance traces.”
That triggered a huge backlash from the families of soldiers who served in Afghanistan, as well as veterans and politicians from across the Westminster and international spectrum who called for Trump to apologise.
Prince Harry said the sacrifices of troops needed to be respected as he pointed out Nato’s collective security clause had been invoked once – following the 9/11 attacks.
In October 2001 the US invaded Afghanistan to oust the Taliban, whom they said were harbouring Osama Bin Laden and other al-Qaeda figures linked to the 9/11 attacks the previous month. Nato nations contributed troops and military equipment to the US-led war.
More than 3,500 coalition soldiers died, about two-thirds of them Americans, as of 2021 when the US withdrew from the country. The UK suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the conflict behind the US, which suffered 2,461 fatalities.
On Saturday, Downing Street said the prime minister and US president spoke about the UK’s involvement alongside US and Nato forces in the conflict.
A spokesperson said: “The prime minister raised the courageous and heroic British and American soldiers who fought facet by facet in Afghanistan, many of whom by no means returned dwelling. We should always remember their sacrifice”.
Shortly after the conversation, Trump posted fresh comments on his Truth Social platform – appearing to step back from his critical comments but stopping short of directly apologising for the words he used in Thursday’s interview.
He wrote: “The nice and really courageous soldiers of the United Kingdom will all the time be with the United States of America.
“In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors.
“It’s a bond too sturdy to ever be damaged. The UK army, with great coronary heart and soul, is second to none (aside from the USA). We love you all, and all the time will!”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she was pleased Trump had acknowledged the UK’s role in fighting alongside the US and Nato allies in Afghanistan.
“It ought to by no means have been questioned in the primary place,” she said.
Watch: Trump’s comments ‘extremely disrespectful’ – British veteran
On Friday, the Duke of Sussex released a statement in which he praised the contributions of Nato troops who were in Afghanistan.
“I served there. I made lifelong pals there. And I misplaced pals there,” the prince mentioned.
“In 2001, Nato invoked Article 5 for the primary – and solely – time in historical past. It meant that each allied nation was obliged to face with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared safety. Allies answered that decision.
“Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost.
“Those sacrifices need to be spoken about in truth and with respect, as we all stay united and dependable to the defence of diplomacy and peace.”
Most of the 457 British troops who died serving in Afghanistan over a period of nearly 20 years were killed in Helmand – the scene of the heaviest fighting.
Hundreds more suffered injuries and lost limbs – including Cpl Andy Reid who lost both his legs and his right arm after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan.
“Not a day goes by after we’re not in some variety of ache, bodily or mentally reflecting on that battle,” he told BBC Breakfast on Friday.
Reid recalled working with American soldiers, adding: “If they had been on the entrance line and I used to be stood subsequent to them, clearly we had been on the entrance line as properly.”
Watch: “It’s simply plain incorrect” – Afghanistan veterans react to Trump Nato remarks
Badenoch, Sir Ed Davey and Nigel Farage were among the Westminster leaders to call out the US president for his comments; while outside the UK, ministers from foreign governments also criticised Trump’s remarks.
Poland’s foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who was among 33,000 Polish troops who served on the frontline in Afghanistan, said: “No one has the suitable to mock the service of our soldiers”.
Canada’s Minister of National Defence David J McGuinty said Canadian “women and men had been on the bottom from the start, not as a result of we needed to, however as a result of it was the suitable factor to do.”
American political and military figures have also expressed their anger and frustration over Trump’s Nato comments.
“I feel it is insulting to those that had been combating alongside of us,” former nationwide safety adviser Herbery Raymond McMaster instructed the BBC.
