Prince Harry
It was addressed directly to the veterans of the Afghan war
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The current images from Afghanistan are terrifying. As a former soldier in the British Army, Prince Harry himself had two missions in the country now occupied by the Taliban. The Royal addressed the veterans with his message.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban have effectively taken power. Dramatic scenes are unfolding across the country. People are fleeing certain death and trying to leave the country.
On August 16, 2021, Prince Harry, 36, published a statement on the current situation in Afghanistan through the “Invictus Games Foundation” together with CEO Dominc Reid. In it, he addresses the Invictus community and military members directly, calling on them to reach out and support one another. Many in the fellowship would share the experience of serving in Afghanistan over the past two decades.
Prince Harry addresses words to Afghanistan veterans
The “Invictus Games” initiated by Prince Harry is a Paralympic sporting event for war-disabled soldiers. 300 athletes from 13 countries took part in the first event in 2014. The soldiers fought alongside British troops primarily in the war in Afghanistan and were wounded during combat operations.
For Prince Harry, the “Invictus Games” are an affair of the heart. His own missions in Afghanistan have left a deep mark on the 36-year-old. After he and his wife Duchess Meghan, 40, left the British royal family, he also had to work in the military However, he remains loyal to the “Invictus Games”, which are to take place in Germany in 2023.
Prince Harry remains silent on Joe Biden’s role in the Afghanistan war
Prince Harry’s statement is only aimed at the veterans themselves. He is silent about the current strong criticism that US President Joe Biden, 78, is blowing against due to the rapid and uncontrolled withdrawal of US troops in Afghanistan. Actually, the Royal had clearly positioned itself. Only last year, Harry and Meghan had politically sided with Biden in the US elections and clearly opposed Donald Trump with their comment “reject hate”.
According to experts, the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan accelerated the Taliban’s takeover of power. Biden did not want to pass the war in Afghanistan “on to a fifth” president, he justified his decision. The local situation was underestimated, also by German politicians. The result: Supporters in the fight against the Taliban now have to fear for their lives.
Sources used: Twitter.de, invictusgamesfoundation.org, tagesschau.de