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Bloomberg via Getty ImagesDonald Trump has praised British soldiers fighting in Afghanistan after claiming allied forces were avoiding the front lines, sparking criticism from veterans and politicians.
Earlier this week, Trump angered U.S. allies by downplaying the role of NATO troops in the war and cast doubt on whether the military alliance would help the United States “if we need them.”
Trump’s comments drew condemnation from international allies, while Sir Keir Starmer called them “insulting and frankly shocking”.
The British prime minister spoke to Trump on Saturday, before the US president used his Truth social platform to praise British troops as “some of the greatest warriors”.
Trump was criticized for comments he made during an interview with Fox News on Thursday, in which the president said of NATO troops: “We never needed them. We never really asked them for anything.
“They will say they sent some troops to Afghanistan … and they did, they stayed behind, away from the front lines.”
That sparked a backlash from families of soldiers serving in Afghanistan, as well as veterans and politicians from Westminster and internationally who called on Trump to apologize.
Prince Harry said the sacrifices of troops needed to be respected, noting that NATO’s collective security clause had been invoked once after the 9/11 attacks.
The United States invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 to oust the Taliban, which it said was harboring Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaeda figures linked to the 9/11 attacks the previous month. NATO countries provided troops and military equipment to the U.S.-led war.
By the time the United States withdrew from the country in 2021, more than 3,500 coalition troops had died, about two-thirds of them Americans. Britain has the second-highest number of military deaths in the conflict, after the United States (2,461 deaths).
On Saturday, Downing Street said the Prime Minister and the US President spoke about Britain’s participation in the conflict alongside US and Nato forces.
A spokesman said: “The Prime Minister raised the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought alongside him in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home. We must never forget their sacrifice.”
Shortly after the conversation ended, Trump made new comments on his “Truth Social” platform — appearing to back away from his critical remarks but not directly apologizing for the rhetoric he used in Thursday’s interview.
He wrote: “Britain’s great and brave soldiers will always be with the United States of America.
“In Afghanistan, where 457 people died and many were seriously injured, they were among the greatest warriors.
“This is a bond that is strong and will never be broken. The British military has a huge heart and soul and is second to none (aside from the US). We love you all and always will!”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenock said she was pleased Trump recognized the UK’s role in fighting alongside the US and Nato allies in Afghanistan.
“It should never have been questioned in the first place,” she said.
on Friday, The Duke of Sussex issues a statement praising the contribution of NATO troops Who is in Afghanistan.
“I served there. I made lifelong friends there. I lost friends there,” Prince said.
“In 2001, Article 5 was invoked for the first and only time in NATO’s history. This meant that every Ally had an obligation to stand with the United States in Afghanistan and pursue our mutual security. Allies answered that call.
“Thousands of lives have been changed forever. Mothers and fathers have buried sons and daughters. Children have lost their parents. Families have had to bear the cost.
“These sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and respectfully as we all remain united and loyal to the defense of diplomacy and peace.”
In the past 20 years, most of the 457 British soldiers serving in Afghanistan were killed in Helmand province, where the fighting has been fiercest.
Hundreds more were injured and lost limbs, including Corporal Andy Reid, who lost both legs and his right arm after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan.
“Every day we are in some kind of pain, physically or mentally reflecting on this conflict,” he told BBC Breakfast on Friday.
Reed recalled the experience of working with American soldiers, adding: “If they were on the front lines and I was standing next to them, obviously we were on the front lines too.”
Westminster leaders including Badenock, Sir Ed Davey and Nigel Farage have criticized the US president’s comments. Outside the UK, foreign government ministers also criticized Trump’s remarks.
Canadian Defense Minister David J. McGuinty said Canada’s “men and women have been on the scene from the beginning, not because we have to, but because it’s the right thing to do.”
U.S. political and military figures also expressed anger and frustration at Trump’s NATO remarks.
Former national security adviser Herbert Raymond McMaster told the BBC: “I think it’s an insult to those who fight alongside us.”
Trump’s new comments on Saturday did not mention any other NATO allies sending troops to Afghanistan.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni said her government was “surprised” to hear Trump’s first statement, adding that “our country has paid an indisputable price: 53 Italian soldiers died and more than 700 injured”.
“For this reason, comments that downplay the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan are unacceptable, especially when they come from an allied country,” she told the “X” program.
