Claims Spark Anger in Britain
The UK government has criticised Donald Trump after the US president appeared to downplay the role of NATO allies in the war in Afghanistan. Speaking to Fox News, Trump suggested allied troops stayed away from the front lines — comments that caused outrage among British politicians, veterans and bereaved families.
Official figures show that 457 British service personnel died in Afghanistan, with 405 killed in hostile action. UK officials said Trump was “wrong to diminish” the contribution of NATO forces who fought alongside the United States after the September 11 attacks.
NATO’s Call to Arms After 9/11
Following the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 — its collective defence clause — for the first and only time, coming to the aid of the US. British troops joined the mission from the outset, alongside forces from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark and other allies, many of whom also lost their lives.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the sacrifices made by British and allied troops were in defence of collective security and in response to an attack on an ally. “We are incredibly proud of our armed forces, and their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” the spokesperson said.
Families and Ministers Push Back
Care Minister Stephen Kinnock said he expected Starmer to raise the issue directly with Trump, stressing that NATO had stood by the US when it mattered most. Defence Secretary John Healey also underlined that Article 5 has only ever been triggered to support America, adding that more than 450 British personnel died answering that call.
For families of the fallen, the remarks were deeply painful. Lucy Aldridge, whose 18-year-old son William was killed in Afghanistan, said Trump’s comments were “extremely upsetting.” Emily Thornberry, chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, called them “an absolute insult” to the 457 families who lost loved ones, insisting British troops were very much on the front line.
The United States is reported to have lost more than 2,400 soldiers during the Afghanistan conflict.
