BRITISH veterans who served in Afghanistan should be proud of what they accomplished, despite the chaos in Kabul, the Armed Forces minister said last night.
James Heappey, a former infantry major who served two tours of Afghanistan, acknowledged “anger and frustration” over the endgame.
But he told our forces: “We gave a war-torn nation a taste of freedom – we gave them space for an education that can never be taken away.” His comments came as Tony Blair, the PM who sent troops into Afghanistan, blasted the decision to withdraw as “imbecilic”.
In an essay he said news of the withdrawal had left “every Jihadist group round the world cheering” and suggested the world was now asking: “Is this a moment when the West is in epoch-changing retreat?”
Last night it emerged that Britain had objected in the months following US President Joe Biden’s decision to pull out all troops by the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
Senior military sources have revealed how the head of Britain’s armed forces, General Sir Nick Carter, was a sole voice of dissent at a crunch meeting of Nato joint chiefs of staff in Brussels, arguing “our job isn’t over – it is too soon and we are simply not ready”.
His efforts were later backed by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who lobbied counterparts ahead of a Nato meeting on June 1 to put the subject of date changes on the agenda – but without success.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 22, 2021 من Sunday Express.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 22, 2021 من Sunday Express.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Birthday boy Jesurun gift-wraps points for the unbeaten Blades
JESURUN RAK-SAKYI struck twice on his 22nd birthday as unbeaten SHEFFIELD UNITED defeated LUTON 2-0 at home to move level on points with Championship leaders SUNDERLAND.
PALACE REIGN FOR KINGS OF THE ROAD
THE Slot machine paid out yet another jackpot as Liverpool dug deep for a priceless and gritty victory.
Punch & Judy next in line to be 'cancelled' fears veteran
HE'S been entertaining children and adults alike for six decades with his traditional Punch and Judy shows.
How Rick's traumatic childhood drove him to succeed
\"IT'S A desperately poignant way to sum up one's childhood. \"I remember being frightened all the time as a kid,\" recalls Rick. He traces the trauma to a grave tragedy in the family before he was even born.
Harry extends 'solo' trip without Meghan
PRINCE Harry has extended his solo trip abroad without wife Meghan, the Sunday Express has learned.
How Queen bagged her cheeky escapes
IN a lifetime of meeting the public, the late Queen famously used her handbag to secretly signal to her courtiers when she was ready to leave an event.
Trump's return to brush with death spot
A SECRET Service ring of steel surrounded Donald Trump last night as he prepared to hold a rally in the same spot where he was almost killed by an assassin three months ago.
Migrants perish as Cooper slams gangs
A TODDLER trampled to death in a small boat was among four migrants who died off the French coast yesterday.
‘Inspirational’ Kemi wins backing of US governor DeSantis
KEMI Badenoch's leadership bid has been endorsed by one of the US Republicans' most influential figures.
Leadership hopeful fired up by Reagan
JAMES Cleverly wants to bring the spirit of Ronald Reagan to the Tory Party as he enters a critical week in his bid to become leader, he tells the Sunday Express today.