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UK Armed Forces Minister Slams Trump’s NATO Claims as ‘Utterly Ridiculous’
A senior UK government minister and decorated Afghanistan war veteran has forcefully rejected former US president Donald Trump’s recent claims about NATO’s role in the Afghanistan conflict, calling the remarks “utterly ridiculous” and deeply disrespectful to fallen soldiers. Al Carns, the UK’s armed forces minister and a former Royal Marines officer, spoke out after Trump falsely suggested that NATO troops avoided frontline combat during the two-decade-long war. Carns, who completed four tours of Afghanistan and was awarded the Military Cross in 2011, said the comments ignored the sacrifices made by allied forces fighting alongside the United States.
Starmer Condemns Trump’s NATO Remarks on Afghanistan as ‘Insulting and Appalling’
“We Shed Blood Together”
Responding to Trump’s claims, Al Carns drew on his personal experience serving in Afghanistan, where NATO forces operated shoulder to shoulder with American troops.
“Alongside my American colleagues, we shed blood, sweat, and tears together, and not everybody came home,” he said, directly contradicting the suggestion that non-US NATO troops stayed away from the fighting.
Al Carns also extended a pointed invitation to anyone who believes Trump’s assertions to meet him and the families of British service personnel who lost their lives during the conflict. His comments underline the emotional weight of the issue for veterans and bereaved families across NATO nations.
NATO’s Human Cost in Afghanistan
The Afghanistan war, which began in 2001 following the 9/11 attacks, involved a broad coalition of NATO allies operating under the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). According to figures cited by veterans’ charity Help for Heroes, around 1,061 non-American NATO troops were killed during the conflict.
The United Kingdom suffered more than 400 fatalities, while the United States lost over 2,300 service members. Military analysts have long stressed that allied troops were heavily involved in combat operations, particularly in volatile regions such as Helmand province, where British forces bore some of the fiercest fighting.
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Political Fallout From Trump’s Remarks
Trump’s comments have reignited tensions around burden-sharing within NATO, a recurring theme during his presidency. While he frequently criticised European allies over defence spending, critics argue that his latest remarks cross a line by dismissing the battlefield contributions of allied soldiers.
For UK officials, the issue goes beyond politics. Al Carns’ response reflects a broader concern that such statements risk rewriting history and diminishing the shared sacrifices that defined NATO’s mission in Afghanistan.
A Veteran’s Rebuke With Wider Implications
As a serving minister with firsthand combat experience, Al Carns’ intervention carries particular weight. His condemnation underscores how sensitive Afghanistan remains for those who served there — and how inaccurate narratives can reopen old wounds.
The episode also highlights the enduring importance of NATO solidarity at a time when the alliance faces renewed geopolitical challenges. For many veterans and families, recognition of shared sacrifice is not optional — it is fundamental.
