‘I’m an Afghanistan veteran and Donald Trump’s claims are a kick in the teeth’

A British veteran who served in Afghanistan alongside US troops has called out Donald Trump after he said Nato soldiers ‘avoided the frontline’ during the war.

Kayam Iqbal, 45, from Flackwell Heath, Buckinghamshire, has hit back at the US president, saying his comments were ‘absolutely shocking.’

The dad-of-two joined the British Armed Forces in 1999 initially as a medic before specialising in languages and human intelligence.

He was deployed in the deadly Helmand Province of Afghanistan, where the British suffered the heaviest losses during the conflict against the Taliban.

Kayam told Metro: ‘It is absolutely shocking, but I’m not sure very many things surprise me anymore what Trump says. The world is getting used to some of the nonsense he comes out with.

‘But this one did. He wasn’t there, he doesn’t know.

‘And I can only imagine for those families whose loved ones didn’t come back, and friends of mine as well, that it feels like a kick in the teeth.’

He continued: ‘My initial reaction was that “surely not, this can’t be true.

‘But looking at his policies and what he has done in the last few weeks, from Venezuela to Greenland, even his talks at the forum, it all tracks.

‘What he is trying to do is apply that narrative, his narrative, to showcase how important the US is and that you should all rally behind him and that country and without him, we can’t fend for ourselves.’

Kayam, who advocates for veterans’ mental health and established The OppO Foundation to help soldiers returning home, said that his experience in Afghanistan was that the US was ‘steps behind Nato, the same as in World War II – they arrived late – and it was the same in Afghanistan.’

The 45-year-old was left with PTSD as a result of tours in Iraq and the Afghan wars.

Years after returning home, he said it is ‘still a struggle and it will never go away’, adding that the situation is dire for many in frontline emergency roles like the police, nurses and firefighters.

He said opening up about mental health can be a struggle especially for military personnel, and some in the Muslim community, with many suffering in silence due to ‘bravado and a masquerade of being strong.’

‘But talking helps,’ he added.

Following Trump’s outburst, Kayam said he hopes to see a response from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, but recognises he and his government are in a difficult position because of trying to ‘maintain a relationship’ with Trump.

‘I hope they are not going to be fearful of saying that it is not true and accurate, because we all know that Trump does get upset if people go against him. Is it going to put spanners in the works of other negotiations that are going on in the background?

‘Everyone is tiptoeing around him and they have for a long time.’

Armed forces minister Al Carns, who served five tours in Afghanistan, said UK troops ‘shed blood, sweat and tears’ alongside US comrades.

Former Royal Marines colonel Mr Carns, without referring to Mr Trump by name, said: ‘On Afghanistan, frankly, this is utterly ridiculous. Many courageous and honourable service personnel from many nations fought on the front line. Many fought way beyond it.

‘I served five tours in Afghanistan, many alongside my American colleagues. We shed blood, sweat and tears together. Not everybody came home.

‘These are bonds, I think, forged in fire, protecting the US, our shared interests, but actually protecting democracy overall.

‘And I’d suggest whoever believes these comments come have a whisky with me, my colleagues, their families, and importantly, the families of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for both of our nations.’

Defence Secretary John Healey said: ‘Nato’s Article 5 has only been triggered once. The UK and Nato allies answered the US call. And more than 450 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan.

‘Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.’

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said Donald Trump was ‘wrong’ to claim that Nato forces stayed away from the front line in Afghanistan.

He added: ‘We are incredibly proud of our armed forces and their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.’

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