Trump UK Soldiers Afghanistan Praised Amid Controversy
Former US President Donald Trump has praised UK soldiers in Afghanistan, calling them “among the greatest of all warriors,” after criticism over his previous remarks downplaying NATO’s role in the conflict.
Earlier this week, Trump sparked international backlash by suggesting that allied forces avoided the front lines and questioning whether NATO would support the US “if we ever needed them.” His remarks angered veterans, politicians, and the families of soldiers who served in Afghanistan.
Sir Keir Starmer described the comments as “insulting and frankly appalling.” Following a phone conversation with the UK Prime Minister, Trump posted on Truth Social, acknowledging the bravery of British troops in Afghanistan.
During a Fox News interview, Trump said:
“We’ve never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them. They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan… and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
The initial statement triggered widespread condemnation. Prince Harry highlighted the sacrifices of troops and NATO’s role, noting that Article 5 was invoked for the first and only time after 9/11. Thousands of families were affected, with soldiers wounded or killed in the nearly 20-year conflict.
The US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 aimed to remove the Taliban, accused of harboring Osama Bin Laden and other al-Qaeda figures responsible for the 9/11 attacks. NATO nations contributed troops and equipment throughout the mission. By the time of the US withdrawal in 2021, over 3,500 coalition soldiers had died, including 457 British troops—the second-highest fatalities after Americans.
Downing Street confirmed that the Prime Minister and Trump discussed the UK’s contributions alongside American and NATO forces. A spokesperson said:
“The Prime Minister raised the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan. Many never returned home. We must never forget their sacrifice.”
Trump later posted on Truth Social:
“The great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom will always 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 strong to ever be broken.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed Trump’s remarks, emphasizing that the role of British troops “should never have been questioned in the first place.”
Veterans expressed relief but underscored the importance of truthfully acknowledging sacrifices. Cpl Andy Reid, who lost both legs and an arm to an IED in Helmand, recalled:
“If they were on the front line and I was stood next to them, clearly we were on the front line as well.”
International reactions continued, with Canada, Italy, and other NATO countries criticizing Trump’s initial comments for downplaying allied contributions. Canadian Defence Minister David J. McGuinty highlighted that Canadian troops participated “not because we had to, but because it was the right thing to do.” Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni noted that 53 Italian soldiers were killed and more than 700 wounded, stating that such contributions cannot be minimized.
The debate underscores sensitivities surrounding coalition sacrifices in Afghanistan and the importance of recognizing allied nations’ joint efforts during the 20-year conflict.
