The UK’s Prime Minister Slammed Trump For Claiming NATO Troops Avoided Afghanistan’s Frontlines
Starmer said Trump's remarks were “deeply disrespectful” to British troops who served alongside US forces during the 20-year conflict.
The UK’s Prince Harry and prime minister Keir Starmer have slammed US president Donald Trump for saying that NATO forces, including UK soldiers, avoided frontline combat during the war in Afghanistan.
The US-led war in Afghanistan began in 2001 following the September 11 attacks and ended in 2021 with the withdrawal of US and allied forces and the Taliban’s return to power.
More than 1,000 non-US NATO troops were killed during the war, including 457 from the UK, with tens of thousands deployed under NATO command over two decades.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, during a televised interview from Davos, Trump played down the role of NATO allies in Afghanistan.
“They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, and they did. They stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines,” Trump said.
He also claimed the US “never really needed” its allies during the war.
Speaking on Thursday, Jan. 23, Starmer said Trump's remarks were “deeply disrespectful” to British troops who served alongside US forces during the 20-year conflict.
He said Trump’s comments ignored the reality of the UK’s role in Afghanistan and the sacrifices made by service members who fought and died there.
Starmer’s criticism was echoed later that day by Prince Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan with the British Army.
Responding to Trump’s remarks, Harry said the sacrifices of allied troops should not be misrepresented or dismissed.
“Those who served know the truth,” Harry said.
He added that soldiers who fought in Afghanistan “deserve recognition that is truthful and respectful”, warning against attempts to rewrite the history of the war.
On Friday, Jan. 24, international governments urged Trump to apologize, with French leaders saying the remarks ignored the reality of joint combat operations carried out by allied forces.
Later that day, Trump issued a statement praising British soldiers, calling them “very brave” and acknowledging the number of UK troops killed in Afghanistan.
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Sofia Hou
Sofia Hou
