Harry states that the sacrifices made by NATO forces in Afghanistan warrant ‘respect’

The Duke of Sussex has emphasized the necessity for the sacrifices made by Nato forces to be “discussed accurately and with dignity,” following statements from the US president that allies remained “a bit distant” from combat zones in Afghanistan.

“I served there. I forged lasting friendships there. And I mourned friends there,” Prince Harry, who was deployed to the region twice, stated on Friday while honoring Nato personnel who lost their lives in the war, including 457 British soldiers.

The prince’s remarks came in response to contentious statements made by Donald Trump during an interview on Thursday.

Trump’s comments have been met with rebuke from international partners, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer labeling them “offensive and frankly outrageous.”

The UK and various allies joined the US in Afghanistan after the invocation of Nato’s collective defense clause in response to the 9/11 assaults.

Prince Harry noted: “In 2001, Nato invoked Article 5 for the first – and only – time in history. This signified that every alliance member was obliged to support the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our mutual security. Allies heeded that call.”

He continued: “Countless lives were altered permanently. Parents buried their sons and daughters. Children grew up without a parent. Families shoulder the burden.”

“These sacrifices should be recounted accurately and with dignity, as we all continue to stand united and devoted to the cause of diplomacy and peace.”

The duke’s remarks followed Trump’s Fox News interview in which he stated: “We never needed them. We have rarely asked much of them.”

“They’ll claim they dispatched some troops to Afghanistan… and they did; they operated a bit away, a bit off the front lines.”

The president also expressed uncertainty about whether the military alliance would support the US “if we ever required them.”

In the UK, Trump’s statements faced criticism across the political spectrum.

Just prior to the prince’s declaration, Sir Keir expressed his own viewpoint, stating that if he had “misspoken in that manner,” he would “definitely apologize.”

Sir Keir remarked: “I shall never forget their bravery, their gallantry, and the sacrifices they made for their nation.”

“There were many others who were hurt, some with life-altering injuries.”

“I find President Trump’s comments to be disrespectful and frankly shocking, and I am not surprised they have caused such pain to the families of those who lost their lives or were injured and, indeed, throughout the country.”

Outside the UK, officials from other nations also condemned Trump’s statements.

Poland’s foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who was among 33,000 Polish military engaged at the forefront in Afghanistan, stated: “No one has the authority to mock the service of our soldiers.”

Canada’s Minister of National Defence David J McGuinty mentioned that Canadian “men and women were present from the outset, not out of obligation, but because it was the right choice.”

He noted that 158 of their troops “paid the ultimate price” while leading allied initiatives in the Kandahar area.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, a former secretary-general of Nato during the Afghanistan conflict, conveyed to the BBC World Service: “No American president should have the privilege to undermine their legacy and to offend those still mourning because they did not return from Afghanistan.

“What I would hope for is a genuine apology from the president of the United States.”

In October 2001, the US launched an invasion of Afghanistan to oust the Taliban, whom they accused of sheltering Osama Bin Laden and other al-Qaeda figures involved in the 9/11 attacks. Nato nations contributed soldiers and military resources to the US-led campaign.

By 2021, over 3,500 coalition troops had lost their lives, approximately two-thirds of whom were Americans. The UK had the second-highest number of military fatalities, only behind the US, which experienced 2,461 deaths.

Most of the 457 British soldiers who died while serving in Afghanistan throughout nearly two decades perished in Helmand, known for the fiercest combat.

Numerous others sustained 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 single day passes without us enduring some form of pain, physically or mentally, as we reflect on that conflict,” he shared with BBC Breakfast.

Reid reminisced about his collaboration with American soldiers during his time in Afghanistan, stating: “If they were positioned at the front line and I stood alongside them, it was obvious we were at the front line too.”

Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson experienced critical injuries when an Army Land Rover struck a mine near Musa Qala in 2006, expressed that Trump’s comments were “terribly insulting” and difficult to accept.

The 41-year-old is currently recovering after another surgery, but Dernie informed the BBC that Trump’s remarks reflected “a petty person attempting to distract from his own behavior.”

Dernie urged Starmer to “defend his own military” and challenge the US president.

Her statements were directed to the prime minister, who replied: “I have made my stance clear, and what I tell Diane is, if I had misrepresented myself in that fashion or uttered those words, I would definitely apologize and do so to her.”

In a follow-up interview with the BBC just after Starmer’s announcement, Dernie remarked that the prime minister’s statements were adequate but suggested he should extend further.

“His statements conveyed precisely what we wished to hear, but those words need to be addressed directly to the president,” Dernie stated. “I value what Starmer has communicated, but they need to reach Donald Trump.”

Throughout Friday, the leaders of the primary political factions in Westminster shared their sentiments regarding Trump’s remarks.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stated: “I have spoken with families of young individuals who lost their lives. It is disgraceful to diminish their memory in such a manner.”

“There is excessive careless discourse from President Trump. He evidently lacks knowledge about what transpired. We must avoid such trivial comments.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey condemned the US president’s statements, asserting: “Trump evaded military duty five times. How could he dare question their sacrifices?”

Trump received five deferments from the military draft during the Vietnam War – four for educational reasons and one for bone spurs, a calcium accumulation in the heels.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage stated: “Donald Trump is mistaken. For two decades, our military fought bravely alongside America’s forces in Afghanistan.”

American political and military figures have also voiced their indignation and dissatisfaction over Trump’s comments regarding Nato.

Former national security adviser Herbert Raymond McMaster, who served as a senior US officer in Afghanistan, remarked that British forces were involved in counter-insurgency efforts daily.

“I believe it’s an affront to those who fought alongside us,” McMaster told the BBC.

“What I would desire from him is to rectify the situation by expressing our appreciation for our allies who fought beside us, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice in a conflict that I believe was crucial, obviously, for the future of all humanity.”

During his second presidential term, Trump has repeatedly criticized Nato, often accusing its member countries of insufficient defense spending.

In recent weeks, Trump has made remarks regarding the acquisition of Greenland – a semi-autonomous region of fellow Nato member Denmark.

Trump’s continual statements concerning ownership, threats of military action, and tariffs against traditional European allies have unsettled the transatlantic alliance.

The White House has largely remained silent amid the uproar occurring in Britain – partly due to the story not gaining significant traction in the US and because Trump has been preoccupied, not engaging in his usual public appearances to dealing with questions.

On Friday, ahead of Starmer’s appeal for an apology from the US president, the White House issued a statement reaffirming Trump’s long-standing outlook on Nato.

The White House claimed: “President Trump is correct – America’s contributions to Nato far exceed those of other countries, and his accomplishment in securing a 5% spending commitment from Nato allies is facilitating Europe in shouldering greater responsibility for its own defense.”

“The United States remains the only Nato partner capable of safeguarding Greenland, and the president is promoting Nato’s interests in that effort.”

The White House has yet to respond to Starmer’s call for an apology.