Downing Street rejects Hegseth claim that US did most Afghan fighting

Downing Street has rejected comments by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth that American troops did most of the offensive fighting in Afghanistan, as the row over the NATO-led mission deepened.

Hegseth said 50 countries had contributed to ISAF, the NATO-led mission set up after the 9/11 attacks. But he added that maybe five had contributed and that it was closer to one or two that were involved in kinetic operations by the end. He joked that the ISAF patch meant 'I saw Americans fighting'.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the facts speak for themselves when it comes to the UK and NATO's contribution in Afghanistan. He said the UK was incredibly proud of its armed forces and that their service and sacrifice would never be forgotten. He added that it was wrong to diminish their role.

The row has focused attention on the 457 British service personnel who died in Afghanistan and the thousands more who were injured. Al Carns, a former special forces officer and former armed forces minister, said many allies fought exceptionally hard after 9/11. He said they lost friends, took casualties and fought hard with and alongside their allies.

Doug Beattie, a unionist politician who served with the Royal Irish Regiment, said Hegseth's comments were disrespectful. He said that while Hegseth was counting flags at ISAF headquarters in Kabul, British, Canadian, Danish, Estonian, Polish and US troops were in parts of Afghanistan fighting kinetic operations. He said it was appalling to undermine that sacrifice.

This is not the first time the Trump administration has criticised the allies over Afghanistan. Donald Trump earlier said allies stayed a little off the front lines. Keir Starmer gave an angry rebuke at the time. Trump later backed down from his comments. Hegseth has not done so.

Downing Street insists the transatlantic relationship remains strong. But the comments have caused damage, with bereaved families and veterans angered by any suggestion that British troops did not do their bit in support of the United States.