Trump says UK troopers in Afghanistan ‘amongst biggest of all warriors’

[ad_1] <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/fb24/live/d7457710-f94c-11f0-83df-25b52b98173b.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/fb24/live/d7457710-f94c-11f0-83df-25b52b98173b.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/fb24/live/d7457710-f94c-11f0-83df-25b52b98173b.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/fb24/live/d7457710-f94c-11f0-83df-25b52b98173b.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/fb24/live/d7457710-f94c-11f0-83df-25b52b98173b.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/fb24/live/d7457710-f94c-11f0-83df-25b52b98173b.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/fb24/live/d7457710-f94c-11f0-83df-25b52b98173b.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/fb24/live/d7457710-f94c-11f0-83df-25b52b98173b.png.webp" loading="eager" alt="Bloomberg via Getty Images US President Donald Trump during a meeting with Mark Rutte, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Bloomberg by way of Getty Pictures President Donald Trump's feedback on Thursday about Nato troopers combating in Afghanistan angered many veterans and politicians

Donald Trump has praised UK troopers who fought in Afghanistan after his declare that allied forces prevented the entrance traces prompted criticism from veterans and politicians.

Earlier this week Trump angered US allies by downplaying the function of Nato troops within the conflict and doubted whether or not the army alliance could be there for the US "if we ever wanted them".

Trump's phrases drew condemnation from worldwide allies, whereas Sir Keir Starmer referred to as them "insulting and admittedly appalling".

The UK prime minister spoke to Trump on Saturday, after which the US president used his Reality Social platform to reward UK troops as being "among the many biggest of all warriors".

Trump was criticised for remarks he made throughout an interview with Fox Information on Thursday through which the president mentioned of Nato troops: "We have by no means wanted them. We have now by no means actually requested something of them.

"They will say they despatched some troops to Afghanistan... and so they did, they stayed somewhat again, somewhat off the entrance traces."

That triggered an enormous backlash from the households of troopers who served in Afghanistan, in addition to veterans and politicians from throughout the Westminster and worldwide spectrum who referred to as for Trump to apologise.

Prince Harry mentioned the sacrifices of troops wanted to be revered as he identified Nato's collective safety clause had been invoked as soon as - following the 9/11 assaults.

In October 2001 the US invaded Afghanistan to oust the Taliban, whom they mentioned have been harbouring Osama Bin Laden and different al-Qaeda figures linked to the 9/11 assaults the earlier month. Nato nations contributed troops and army tools to the US-led conflict.

Greater than 3,500 coalition troopers died, about two-thirds of them People, as of 2021 when the US withdrew from the nation. The UK suffered the second-highest variety of army deaths within the battle behind the US, which suffered 2,461 fatalities.

On Saturday, Downing Road mentioned the prime minister and US president spoke concerning the UK's involvement alongside US and Nato forces within the battle.

A spokesperson mentioned: "The prime minister raised the courageous and heroic British and American troopers who fought aspect by aspect in Afghanistan, a lot of whom by no means returned house. We should always remember their sacrifice".

Shortly after the dialog, Trump posted recent feedback on his Reality Social platform - showing to step again from his important feedback however stopping wanting immediately apologising for the phrases he utilized in Thursday's interview.

He wrote: "The good and really courageous troopers of the UK will all the time be with the US of America.

"In Afghanistan, 457 died, many have been badly injured, and so they have been among the many biggest of all warriors.

"It is a bond too robust to ever be damaged. The UK army, with large coronary heart and soul, is second to none (aside from the USA). We love you all, and all the time will!"

Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch mentioned she was happy Trump had acknowledged the UK's function in combating alongside the US and Nato allies in Afghanistan.

"It ought to by no means have been questioned within the first place," she mentioned.

Watch: Trump's feedback 'extraordinarily disrespectful' - British veteran

On Friday, the Duke of Sussex launched an announcement through which he praised the contributions of Nato troops who have been in Afghanistan.

"I served there. I made lifelong buddies there. And I misplaced buddies there," the prince mentioned.

"In 2001, Nato invoked Article 5 for the primary - and solely - time in historical past. It meant that each allied nation was obliged to face with the US in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared safety. Allies answered that decision.

"Hundreds of lives have been modified perpetually. Moms and dads buried little children. Youngsters have been left with no guardian. Households are left carrying the fee.

"These sacrifices need to be spoken about honestly and with respect, as all of us stay united and dependable to the defence of diplomacy and peace."

Many of the 457 British troops who died serving in Afghanistan over a interval of almost 20 years have been killed in Helmand - the scene of the heaviest combating.

Lots of extra suffered accidents and misplaced limbs - together with Cpl Andy Reid who misplaced each his legs and his proper arm after stepping on an improvised explosive system (IED) in Afghanistan.

"Not a day goes by once we're not in some form of ache, bodily or mentally reflecting on that battle," he advised BBC Breakfast on Friday.

Reid recalled working with American troopers, including: "In the event that they have been on the entrance line and I used to be stood subsequent to them, clearly we have been on the entrance line as nicely."

Watch: "It is simply plain incorrect" - Afghanistan veterans react to Trump Nato remarks

Badenoch, Sir Ed Davey and Nigel Farage have been among the many Westminster leaders to name out the US president for his feedback; whereas outdoors the UK, ministers from international governments additionally criticised Trump's remarks.

Canada's Minister of Nationwide Defence David J McGuinty mentioned Canadian "women and men have been on the bottom from the start, not as a result of we needed to, however as a result of it was the appropriate factor to do."

American political and army figures have additionally expressed their anger and frustration over Trump's Nato feedback.

"I believe it is insulting to those that have been combating alongside of us," former nationwide safety adviser Herbery Raymond McMaster advised the BBC.

Trump's new feedback on Saturday didn't point out any of the opposite Nato allies who despatched troops into Afghanistan.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni mentioned her authorities "was astonished" to listen to Trump's first assertion and added "our nation paid a value that's past dispute: 53 Italian troopers killed and greater than 700 wounded".

She mentioned on X: "Because of this, statements that downplay the contribution of Nato international locations in Afghanistan are unacceptable, particularly after they come from an allied nation".