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Donald Trump has issued praise for UK soldiers who served in Afghanistan, following criticism from veterans and politicians regarding his prior claims that allied forces avoided frontline engagement.
Earlier in the week, Trump sparked controversy by downplaying the contributions of NATO troops in the Afghan conflict, questioning the alliance’s commitment to the US “if we ever needed them.”
These remarks drew condemnation from international allies, with Sir Keir Starmer labeling them “insulting and frankly appalling.”
Following a conversation with the UK Prime Minister on Saturday, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to commend UK troops as being “among the greatest of all warriors.”
The initial criticism stemmed from an interview with Fox News on Thursday, where Trump stated of NATO troops: “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.”
These assertions triggered a significant backlash from families of soldiers who served in Afghanistan, as well as veterans and politicians across the Westminster spectrum and internationally, who demanded an apology.
Prince Harry emphasized the need to respect the sacrifices of troops, highlighting NATO’s collective security clause, which was invoked following the 9/11 attacks.
In October 2001, the US initiated military action in Afghanistan to remove the Taliban, accused of harboring Osama Bin Laden and other al-Qaeda figures linked to the 9/11 attacks. NATO nations provided troops and military resources to the US-led effort.
By 2021, when the US withdrew, over 3,500 coalition soldiers had died, with Americans accounting for approximately two-thirds of the fatalities. The UK experienced the second-highest number of military deaths, with 457, compared to the US’s 2,461.
Downing Street confirmed that the Prime Minister and US President discussed the UK’s involvement alongside US and NATO forces in the conflict.
A spokesperson stated: “The Prime Minister raised 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 this conversation, Trump posted new comments on his Truth Social platform, appearing to retract his critical remarks, although stopping short of a direct apology for the words used in the Thursday interview.
He wrote: “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. The UK military, with tremendous heart and soul, is second to none (except for the USA). We love you all, and always will!”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch expressed satisfaction that Trump had acknowledged the UK’s contribution in fighting alongside the US and NATO allies in Afghanistan.
“It should never have been questioned in the first place,” she stated.
On Friday, the Duke of Sussex issued a statement praising the contributions of NATO troops in Afghanistan.
“I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there,” the Prince stated.
“In 2001, Nato invoked Article 5 for the first – and only – time in history. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call.
“Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost.
“Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace.”
Most of the 457 British troops who died serving in Afghanistan over a period of nearly 20 years were killed in Helmand – the scene of the heaviest fighting.
Hundreds more suffered injuries and lost limbs – including Cpl Andy Reid who lost both his legs and his right arm after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan.
“Not a day goes by when we’re not in some kind of pain, physically or mentally reflecting on that conflict,” he told BBC Breakfast on Friday.
Reid recalled working with American soldiers, adding: “If they were on the front line and I was stood next to them, clearly we were on the front line as well.”
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, ministers from foreign governments also criticised Trump’s remarks.
Canada’s Minister of National Defence David J McGuinty said 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.”
American political and military figures have also expressed their anger and frustration over Trump’s Nato comments.
“I think it’s insulting to those who were fighting alongside of us,” former national security adviser Herbery Raymond McMaster told the BBC.
Trump’s new comments on Saturday did not mention any of the other Nato allies who sent troops into Afghanistan.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said her government “was astonished” to hear Trump’s first statement and added “our nation paid a cost that is beyond dispute: 53 Italian soldiers killed and more than 700 wounded”.
She said on X: “For this reason, statements that downplay the contribution of Nato countries in Afghanistan are unacceptable, especially when they come from an allied nation”.
It comes as tensions appear to have escalated between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Ex-soldier Andy Cammiss is one of many to criticise the US President’s comments about Nato troops.
Thousands of people have joined widespread protests against the weeks-long immigration crackdown in the state.
Trade negotiations are nearing the finish line after nearly two decades of hard bargaining on both sides.
The veterans remarks follow comments by US President Donald Trump suggesting Nato allies avoided front-line combat during the war in Afghanistan.
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