The head of Australia’s largest veteran organisation has categorically rejected Donald Trump’s claim that allied soldiers “stayed a little back” from the frontlines when they supported the US campaign in Afghanistan, calling the comments “unfathomable”.
The US president made the comments on Fox News on Thursday, saying he was “not sure” Nato would meet the “ultimate test” of defending the US if it were under threat.
“We’ve never needed them … They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan … and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines,” he said, adding the US had been “very good to Europe and to many other countries. It has to be a two-way street.”
Forty-seven Australian service personnel lost their lives fighting in Afghanistan, while 261 were wounded and almost 40,000 served in what became Australia’s longest war.
The Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) national president, Peter Tinley, said he had no doubt the “vast majority” of Australia’s 630,000 veterans would be “absolutely disgusted and outraged at what really is a cowardly attack by the president on those who can’t defend themselves”.
He said the families of the personnel who died would be “completely affronted by the fact that their sacrifice … has been denigrated to the extent that it has. It’s just unfathomable.
“It’s as senseless as throwing paint on a war memorial and only serves to hurt. It’s completely disingenuous,” he told Guardian Australia on Saturday.
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Tinley served as the deputy commander of the special forces task group and was deployed at short notice to Afghanistan to participate in the military response to the September 11 attacks on the US. It was the only time Nato has invoked its mutual defence clause, stating that an attack on one member represents an attack on all.
“We were the lead force for General James Mattis, who went on to be Trump’s own Secretary of Defence in his first administration … and then we continued to participate in the longest continuous operation in the history of Australia. Thousands of Australian soldiers, sailors and aircrew participated in that conflict,” Tinley said.
He said he hoped Anthony Albanese would clarify with Trump what his comments mean for the future cooperation of Australia under Aukus.
When asked about the comments, government spokesperson said: “Australian Defence Force personnel in Afghanistan made a very significant contribution, and we continue to honour their bravery and sacrifice.”
It came as Keir Starmer issued an unprecedented rebuke to Trump for his “insulting and frankly appalling” remarks about British troops in Afghanistan and suggested he should apologise.
Tinley said an apology would be the “minimum effort”.
“We need reassurance that they’re not going to run away from the fight when they’ve asked us to do so much,” he said.
Jennifer Parker, a non-resident fellow at the Lowy Institute and former naval officer, said Trump’s remarks were “deeply disrespectful” to those who served under the Nato-led mission, their families, and Australia, but “did not reflect the values or professionalism” of the US military.
She said the US National Defense Strategy, released on Friday, highlighted the importance of allies, with Australia central to US efforts to deter China.
“That makes these remarks all the more troubling. An apology and acknowledgment of allied sacrifice is warranted.
“We are again in difficult strategic times, where conflict is not unthinkable. Australian Defence Force women and men who serve deserve respect from our closest ally.”
Tinley encouraged any ex-service members to contact the Open Arms counselling service should they be encountering challenges as a result of the news.
“I’m absolutely here to reassure every veteran and their family that the RSL completely and utterly understands the situation they’re in,” he said.
The offices of Anthony Albanese and Matt Keogh have been contacted for comment.
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