US President Donald Trump’s claim that Nato troops stayed “a little off the front lines” in Afghanistan has drawn strong criticism from UK politicians and veterans’ families.
Trump made the remarks during a Fox News interview on Thursday. He said he was “not sure” Nato would support the US if needed and suggested that allied troops in Afghanistan stayed behind the front lines.
UK Health and Social Care Minister Stephen Kinnock called the comments “deeply disappointing” and “plainly wrong.” He said British and other Nato troops had always stood alongside US forces and many had lost their lives in American-led missions.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch described Trump’s remarks as “flat-out nonsense.” Labour MP Emily Thornberry called them “an absolute insult” to British service personnel. Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey said Trump, who avoided military service five times, had no right to question the sacrifices of 457 British troops killed in Afghanistan.
The UK joined the US in Afghanistan in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, invoking Nato’s collective security clause. Thousands of British soldiers served there over the next two decades.
Stephen Kinnock said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer would convey the country’s position to Trump, highlighting the service and sacrifices of the armed forces.
With inputs from BBC