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Donald Trump has praised British soldiers who fought in Afghanistan after his claim that allied forces were avoiding the front lines sparked criticism from veterans and politicians.
Earlier this week, Trump angered U.S. allies by downplaying the role of NATO troops in the war and doubting that the military alliance would be there for the United States “if we ever needed it.”
Trump’s comments drew condemnation from international allies, with Sir Keir Starmer calling them “insulting and frankly appalling”.
The British prime minister spoke with Trump on Saturday, after which the US president used his Truth Social platform to praise British troops as being “among the greatest of all warriors.”
Trump was criticized for remarks 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 troops to Afghanistan…and they did, they stayed a little behind, a little behind the front lines.”
It sparked a huge backlash from families of soldiers who served in Afghanistan, as well as veterans and politicians from across Westminster and around the world, who called on Trump to apologize.
Prince Harry said the sacrifices of troops must be respected, pointing out that NATO’s collective security clause had been invoked once, following the September 11 attacks.
In October 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan to drive out the Taliban, who it said were sheltering Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaeda figures linked to the September 11 attacks the previous month. NATO countries contributed troops and military equipment to the war led by the United States.
More than 3,500 coalition troops died, about two-thirds of them Americans, in 2021 when the United States withdrew from the country. The United Kingdom suffered the second highest number of military deaths in the conflict, behind the United States, which lost 2,461 people.
On Saturday, Downing Street said the prime minister and the US president had spoken about the UK’s involvement alongside US and NATO forces in the conflict.
A spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister has elevated the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home. We must never forget their sacrifice.”
Shortly after the conversation, Trump posted new comments on his Truth Social platform — appearing to back away from his critical comments, but without directly apologizing for the words he used in Thursday’s interview.
He wrote: “The great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom will always stand with the United States of America.
“In Afghanistan, 457 people died, many were seriously injured and were among the greatest warriors.
“It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken. The British Army, with a tremendous heart and soul, is second to none (except the United States). We love you all, and always will!”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she was pleased Trump had acknowledged the UK’s role in fighting alongside US and NATO allies in Afghanistan.
“This should never have been questioned in the first place,” she said.
Friday, The Duke of Sussex released a statement praising the contributions of NATO troops who were in Afghanistan.
“I served there. I made friends for life. And I lost friends there,” the prince said.
“In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first – and only – time in history. This meant that every Allied nation was obligated to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our common security. Allies responded to this call.
“Thousands of lives have been changed forever. Mothers and fathers have buried their sons and daughters. Children have been left without parents. Families are bearing the price.
“These sacrifices deserve to be remembered with truth and respect, as we all remain united and faithful to the defense of diplomacy and peace.”
Most of the 457 British soldiers who died serving in Afghanistan over a period of almost 20 years were killed in Helmand, the scene of the heaviest fighting.
Hundreds more were injured and lost limbs, including Cpl Andy Reid, who lost both legs and his right arm after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan.
“There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t suffer, physically or mentally, thinking about this conflict,” he told BBC Breakfast on Friday.
Reid recalled working with American soldiers, adding, “If they were on the front line and I was next to them, clearly we were on the front line, too.” »
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, foreign government ministers have also criticized Trump’s remarks.
Canadian Minister of National Defense David J. McGuinty said that “Canadian men and women were on the ground from the beginning, not because we had to, but because it was the right thing to do.”
US political and military figures have also expressed anger and frustration over Trump’s comments on NATO.
“I think it’s insulting to those who fought alongside us,” former national security adviser Herbery Raymond McMaster told the BBC.
Trump’s new comments Saturday did not mention any of the other NATO allies that have sent troops to Afghanistan.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her government “was astonished” to hear Trump’s first statement and added that “our nation has paid an indisputable cost: 53 Italian soldiers killed and more than 700 injured.”
She said on X: “For this reason, statements minimizing the contribution of NATO countries in Afghanistan are unacceptable, especially when they come from an allied country.”
