Trump’s Remarks Spark Outrage
The UK has hit back at former US President Donald Trump after he suggested NATO troops did not fight on the front lines in Afghanistan. In an interview with Fox News, Trump appeared unaware that 457 British soldiers died in the conflict following the September 11 attacks, claiming allies “stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
UK officials emphasized that 405 of the 457 British casualties were killed in hostile action, highlighting the sacrifices made by troops who faced real danger in the field.
NATO’s Collective Defense in Action
After the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, NATO invoked Article 5—the alliance’s collective defense clause—for the first time. The UK, alongside other allies including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Denmark, joined the US in Afghanistan from 2001 onward.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said, “Their sacrifice and that of other NATO forces was made in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally. We are incredibly proud of our armed forces and their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.” Defence Secretary John Healey added that the fallen were “heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.”
Families and Politicians Respond
Trump’s comments drew strong criticism from politicians and bereaved families. Care Minister Stephen Kinnock said Starmer would raise the issue with the former president, noting that Article 5 has only ever been invoked once, to assist the US after 9/11.
Lucy Aldridge, whose 18-year-old son William died in Afghanistan, described the remarks as “extremely upsetting.” Emily Thornberry, chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, called the comments “an absolute insult” to the 457 families who lost loved ones, asking, “How dare he say we weren’t on the front line?”
For context, the US lost over 2,400 soldiers during the same conflict, underlining the high human cost of the war.
