Trump states UK troops in Afghanistan ‘among the finest of all fighters’

Donald Trump has commended British soldiers who served in Afghanistan following his assertion that allied forces stayed away from the front lines, which stirred backlash from veterans and political figures.

Earlier this week, Trump infuriated US partners by belittling the contributions of Nato personnel in the conflict and questioned whether the military alliance would support the US “if we ever needed them”.

His remarks elicited rebuke from global allies, with Sir Keir Starmer labeling them “offensive and genuinely shocking”.

The UK premier contacted Trump on Saturday, after which the US president utilized his Truth Social platform to commend UK forces as being “among the finest of all warriors”.

Trump faced criticism for comments made during a Fox News interview on Thursday, in which he stated regarding Nato soldiers: “We have never needed them. We have never actually asked for anything from them.”

“They’ll claim they sent some troops to Afghanistan… and they did, they kept themselves a bit distant, a bit away from the front lines.”

This incited significant discontent from the families of military personnel who served in Afghanistan, as well as veterans and politicians from various backgrounds who demanded an apology from Trump.

Prince Harry stated that the sacrifices made by service members required respect, pointing out that NATO’s collective defense clause had been invoked once – following the 9/11 attacks.

In October 2001, the US launched an invasion of Afghanistan to remove the Taliban, who were alleged to be sheltering Osama Bin Laden and other al-Qaeda leaders connected to the previous month’s 9/11 attacks. NATO countries contributed military personnel and resources to the US-led effort.

As of 2021, more than 3,500 coalition troops had died, with approximately two-thirds of them being American, when the US withdrew from the region. The UK faced the second-highest number of military fatalities in the conflict, following the US, which suffered 2,461 deaths.

On Saturday, Downing Street stated that the prime minister and US president discussed the UK’s participation alongside US and NATO forces during the conflict.

A spokesperson remarked: “The prime minister acknowledged the courageous and valiant British and American forces who fought together in Afghanistan, many of whom did not return home. We must always remember their sacrifice.”

Shortly after their discussion, Trump shared new comments on his Truth Social platform – seeming to withdraw his critical statements while falling short of directly apologizing for his remarks made during Thursday’s interview.

He stated: “The magnificent and very courageous soldiers of the United Kingdom will always stand with the United States of America.”

“In Afghanistan, 457 lost their lives, many were severely injured, and they were among the finest of all warriors.”

“It’s a bond too strong to ever be severed. The UK military, with immense heart and spirit, is unparalleled (except for the USA). We cherish you all, and always will!”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch expressed her satisfaction that Trump acknowledged the UK’s role in fighting alongside the US and NATO allies in Afghanistan.

“It should never have been called into question in the first place,” she remarked.

On Friday, the Duke of Sussex released a statement praising the contributions of NATO soldiers who served in Afghanistan.

“I served there. I forged lifelong friendships there. And I lost friends there,” stated the prince.

“In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first – and only – time in history. This meant that every allied nation was compelled to support the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our mutual security. Allies responded to that call.

“Thousands of lives were transformed forever. Parents buried their sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left to bear the cost.

“Those sacrifices deserve truthful and respectful acknowledgment, as we all remain united and committed to the defense of diplomacy and peace.”

Most of the 457 British troops who died in Afghanistan over nearly 20 years were killed in Helmand – the location of the most intense fighting.

Hundreds more suffered injuries 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.

“Not a day passes without us experiencing some form of pain, whether physical or psychological, reflecting on that conflict,” he told BBC Breakfast on Friday.

Reid remembered collaborating with American soldiers, adding: “If they were at the front line and I was beside them, it was clear we were also at the front line.”

Badenoch, Sir Ed Davey, and Nigel Farage were among the political leaders in Westminster who criticized the US president for his remarks; while internationally, representatives from foreign governments also condemned Trump’s statements.

Canada’s Minister of National Defence David J McGuinty stated that Canadian “men and women were deployed from the start, not because we had to, but because it was the right choice.”

American political and military leaders also voiced their anger and dissatisfaction regarding Trump’s NATO comments.

“I believe it’s an insult to those who fought alongside us,” former national security adviser Herbery Raymond McMaster told the BBC.

Trump’s updated remarks on Saturday did not reference any of the other NATO allies that deployed troops to Afghanistan.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her government’s “astonishment” at Trump’s initial statements and noted “our nation bore a cost that is indisputable: 53 Italian soldiers killed and over 700 wounded”.

She stated on X: “For this reason, remarks that diminish the contributions of NATO nations in Afghanistan are intolerable, especially when they originate from an allied country.”