Trump’s NATO Troops Claim Draws UK Anger Over Afghanistan Losses

Former US President Donald Trump said NATO troops from countries like the UK stayed a little off the front lines in Afghanistan. This claim came during a recent speech and has led to strong reactions in the UK, where military families and veterans point to the deaths of 457 British soldiers in the 20-year war.

Background

NATO got involved in Afghanistan right after the 2001 attacks on the US. The UN asked for help to keep order in Kabul, and NATO took over command in 2003. At first, the job was just around the capital. Over time, the mission grew to cover the whole country.

Troops set up bases in places like Kabul, Bagram, Mazar-e Sharif, Herat, Kandahar, and Laghman. By 2004, NATO forces moved into the west and north. In 2006, they took on the tough south, including Helmand and Kandahar provinces. These areas saw heavy fighting with Taliban forces.

The International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, led by NATO, built Provincial Reconstruction Teams. These mixed soldiers with work on schools, hospitals, and wells. But violence rose fast. Suicide attacks and ambushes hit NATO troops hard, especially after moving south.

UK forces played a big part. From 2006 to 2014, they led operations in Helmand, one of the most dangerous spots. Canadian troops handled Kandahar at first, but everyone faced the same risks. By the peak in 2010-2012, ISAF had 130,000 troops from 42 countries on 400 bases.

In 2015, the mission shifted to Resolute Support to train Afghan forces. It lasted until the US pullout in 2021. During the final evacuation, UK troops helped secure Kabul airport and run a field hospital. Over 120,000 people got out in two weeks.

Key Details

Trump made the comment while talking about NATO spending and US support. He said allies kept their forces back from the worst fighting, letting American troops do most of the hard work. UK officials and veterans quickly pushed back.

Britain lost 457 lives in Afghanistan. Many died in frontline combat in Helmand. Operations like Medusa in 2006 saw NATO kill over 250 Taliban fighters near Kandahar. Operation Achilles in 2007 put 4,500 NATO troops and 1,000 Afghans into northern Helmand.

UK Role in Helmand

British units faced daily patrols, roadside bombs, and Taliban attacks. They held bases under constant fire. Records show UK soldiers led charges and took casualties at rates that match US losses in intensity. Families of the fallen say the idea of staying off the front lines ignores the reality.

NATO expanded step by step. In 2006, it took southern provinces from US-led groups. By October that year, eastern areas joined too. Troops from the UK, Canada, Denmark, Norway, and others filled the gaps. Some countries had rules on where their forces could go, called caveats, but UK troops had few limits.

Total non-US NATO deaths reached around 1,186. UK numbers stand out. Veterans groups held meetings this week to respond. One soldier who served three tours said the claim hurts the memory of mates who died in the dirt.

"Our lads were right there in the thick of it, day after day. To say they hung back is just wrong." – Johnny Mercer, UK veterans minister

Obama sent surges in 2009, with 17,000 more US troops, then 30,000. NATO added thousands too. European countries struggled to send enough at times, but UK commitments stayed solid.

What This Means

The statement reopens old wounds for UK families. Memorial events for Afghanistan dead draw bigger crowds now. Politicians on both sides call it unfair to those who served.

It also touches NATO ties. The alliance built trust through shared risks in Afghanistan. Claims like this could make allies question US views on past help. UK leaders stress the sacrifices to remind everyone of the joint effort.

Veterans push for better recognition. Groups want inquiries into equipment and decisions that led to losses. The row might lead to public talks between US and UK figures.

Afghanistan stays unstable after the 2021 exit. NATO suspended most work there, but lessons from the mission shape current plans. UK keeps a small presence for advice.

Trump's words come as he eyes another run. NATO summits often hear US calls for more spending. Allies point to Afghanistan as proof they share burdens. This spat highlights ongoing debates over who did what in the war.

Numbers tell the story. UK sent over 10,000 troops at peaks. They ran training teams and fought in surges. Bases in Meymaneh, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Kandahar held NATO flags under fire. The front lines were everywhere, not just for one country.