Recent statements by United States President Donald Trump have sparked intense reactions within NATO, after he claimed that some allies in Afghanistan "stayed a little bit further back, a little bit out of the front lines" during the twenty-year conflict. This position was deemed offensive by several allies; however, it appears to largely reflect the case of Turkey, which was the second-largest contributor to NATO after the United States without recording a single combat fatality.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump expressed doubts about whether NATO allies would support the US in a time of need. "I’m not sure the NATO allies would be there if we needed them. That’s the ultimate test," he stated, adding that "they’ll say they sent troops to Afghanistan, and they did, but they stayed a little back, a little out of the front line." It is worth noting that Article 5 of the NATO treaty for collective defense has been activated only once in the Alliance's history, following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US. At that time, all member states pledged to support Washington, launching an unprecedented and long-term military presence in Afghanistan.
Reactions
Trump's statements were characterized as "disrespectful and unacceptable" by countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Poland, and Denmark, as well as Australia, which participated in the mission without being a NATO member. The backlash eventually led the American president to backtrack, as recently reported by the EurAsian Times. However, it was notable that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not join the public criticism against Trump, despite frequent tensions in Ankara–Washington relations. This stance is estimated to have been no coincidence.
Turkish participation without combat losses
During the twenty-year presence in Afghanistan, Turkey lost a total of 15 soldiers, a figure exceptionally low compared to the losses of other allies: 2,450 for the US, 457 for the UK, 159 for Canada, and 90 for France. According to official data, none of the Turkish fatalities resulted from combat. Of the 15 dead, at least 14 were killed in accidents. In 2009, two Turkish soldiers died in a traffic accident, while in 2012, 12 more were killed when a NATO helicopter crashed near Kabul due to a technical fault, marking the deadliest incident for Turkey in Afghanistan. During that period, approximately 1,800 Turkish soldiers were serving in the country, highlighting that losses were related almost exclusively to non-combat conditions.
The role and restrictions of the Turkish mission
Turkey viewed its presence in Afghanistan not only as participation in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) but also as a "brotherly mission" to support the Afghan people. From the beginning, it had requested to be exempted from offensive operations against the Taliban and other armed groups. Its mission was limited to patrols and security duties without combat involvement. When it joined ISAF in 2001 with 300 soldiers, it set a condition not to participate in counter-terrorism or counter-insurgency operations.
Turkey twice assumed command of ISAF (ISAF II in 2002–2003 and ISAF VII in 2005) and held responsibility for the operation and security of Kabul International Airport. Turkish troops were stationed primarily in Kabul, which was considered significantly safer than regions like Helmand or Kandahar, where American, British, and Canadian forces operated intensively. With an emphasis on defensive missions, such as base and convoy protection, Turkey limited its exposure to attacks, improvised explosive devices, and exchanges of fire. Concurrently, it undertook reconstruction actions through Provincial Reconstruction Teams in areas like Wardak and Jawzjan, focused on infrastructure, education, health, and drug control, under primarily civilian guidance.
Cultural ties and geopolitical calculations
As a Muslim country with historical ties to Central Asia, Turkey maintained a unique relationship with the local population. Many Afghans characterized Turkish soldiers as "brothers" rather than foreign occupiers, due to religious and ethnic affinities with communities such as the Uzbeks and Turkmen. Analysts estimate that the Taliban avoided targeting Turkish forces, fearing a negative reaction from the local society. This stance was further reinforced by Turkey's close relations with Pakistan, which was considered a key supporter of the Taliban.
Turkey repeatedly refused to increase its military presence. In December 2009, Erdogan stated that his country would not send additional troops, one week after Barack Obama's decision to deploy 30,000 more American soldiers. The Turkish presence ended in 2021, following the NATO withdrawal and the Taliban's seizure of power. Despite Ankara's intention to remain to guard the Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport, the Taliban rejected any form of continued military presence, leading to the full withdrawal of Turkish forces and the end of an almost 20-year mission.
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