Downing Street has rejected comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that NATO and British troops played a limited role in the Afghanistan war, describing his remarks as “wrong” and dismissive of allied sacrifices.
The response followed claims by Trump that NATO forces largely stayed away from the front lines during the conflict. Speaking to Fox News on Thursday, Trump said NATO had sent “some troops” to Afghanistan but alleged they “stayed a little back, a little off the front lines,” remarks that triggered anger among veterans and families of fallen soldiers.
The comments drew a strong reaction in the UK, with the mother of severely injured British soldier Ben Parkinson describing them as the “ultimate insult.”
The United Kingdom was among several allies that joined the United States in Afghanistan after NATO invoked Article 5, its collective defence clause for the first and only time in its history following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Article 5 states that an attack on one NATO member is considered an attack on all.
During the nearly 20-year conflict, 457 British service personnel lost their lives, most of them while serving in Helmand province.
Despite this, Trump questioned NATO’s commitment to the United States, saying he was “not sure” the alliance would support the U.S. if it were ever attacked.
“We’ve never needed them,” he said, adding that the U.S. had “never really asked anything of them.”
Responding on Friday, the UK Prime Minister’s official spokesperson firmly rejected the claims, stating that Trump was wrong to diminish the role of NATO troops, including British forces.
The spokesperson emphasized that allied troops made significant sacrifices “in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally.”
The statement reaffirmed the UK’s position that NATO’s role in Afghanistan was substantial and that the contribution of British and allied forces should not be understated.
Source: BBC News
