‘Wrong to Downplay’ Allied Role
The UK government has pushed back strongly after Donald Trump suggested NATO troops did not fight on the front lines in Afghanistan. Speaking on Fox News, the US president appeared unaware that 457 British soldiers lost their lives during the conflict that followed the September 11 attacks. British officials said his comments were “wrong to diminish” the role played by allies who fought and died alongside US forces.
Trump told the broadcaster that NATO countries “sent some troops” but claimed they stayed “a little back, a little off the front lines,” reigniting a long-running debate over burden-sharing within the alliance.
Britain and NATO Answered the Call
After the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the United States invoked NATO’s Article 5 collective defence clause for the first — and only — time. The UK and other allies joined the mission in Afghanistan from 2001, with troops from countries including Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Denmark also suffering fatalities.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said the sacrifices made by British and allied forces were in defence of collective security and in direct response to an attack on a NATO member. Official figures show that 405 of the 457 British deaths were caused by hostile action.
Anger From Families and Politicians
Senior UK figures described Trump’s remarks as deeply upsetting. Care Minister Stephen Kinnock said he expected Starmer to raise the issue directly with the US president, stressing that Article 5 had only ever been triggered to support the United States after 9/11. Defence Minister John Healey echoed that view, saying NATO allies answered the call and paid a heavy price, describing the fallen as “heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.”
The comments also struck a painful chord with families of the fallen. Lucy Aldridge, whose son William was killed in Afghanistan aged 18, said Trump’s words were “extremely upsetting.” Emily Thornberry, chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, called them “an absolute insult” to the 457 British families who lost loved ones, insisting UK troops were very much on the front line.
The United States is reported to have lost more than 2,400 soldiers during the Afghanistan war.
