In brief
Prince Harry has called for a respectful acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by NATO troops in Afghanistan following remarks made by former US President Donald Trump, which were widely criticized. Harry, who served in Afghanistan, emphasized the lasting impact of the war on soldiers and their families, underlining the importance of unity and respect for those who fought.
The Duke of Sussex has called for the sacrifices of NATO troops to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, following remarks made by former US President Donald Trump in an interview where he claimed allies stayed a little back from the front lines in Afghanistan.
In a statement, Prince Harry elaborated on his personal experiences from his deployments, saying, I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. He paid tribute to those killed in the conflict, including 457 UK service personnel.
Harry's response comes after Trump's controversial claims about NATO troops, which have sparked condemnation across political lines in the UK. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer labeled the remarks as insulting and frankly appalling.
In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first - and only - time in history. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security, Harry stated, reinforcing the commitment made by member countries.
He expressed concern over the unwarranted belittlement of sacrifices, stating, Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost.
Harry concluded his statement advocating for solidarity in defense of diplomacy and peace, a sentiment echoed by various veterans and political figures reacting to Trump's statements.
