Afghanistan veteran says he lost both legs and an arm 'for nothing' as Taliban takes Kabul

16 August 2021, 14:19 | Updated: 16 August 2021, 16:39

Jack Cummings, Afghanistan veteran, lost both legs and his left arm while serving in the country
Jack Cummings, Afghanistan veteran, lost both legs and his left arm while serving in the country. Picture: Twitter

By Elizabeth Haigh

A former British soldier says that his and others' sacrifices in Afghanistan were "probably not" worth it after the Taliban took control of Kabul.

In a series of tweets, former royal engineer Jack Cummings expressed his horror and anger at the rapidly unfolding events in Afghanistan, saying they are "heartbreaking".

He wrote: "Was it worth it, probably not. Did I lose my legs for nothing, looks like it. Did my mates die in vain. Yep."

How did the UK’s involvement in Afghanistan begin?

Mr Cummings was one of many soldiers from the UK sent to Afghanistan in the wake of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center, as part of a US-led coalition.

READ MORE: 'Some people won't get back' Defence Secretary chokes up over Afghanistan

READ MORE: Afghanistan live: Keir Starmer calls for PM to 'show some leadership' amid Taliban crisis

455 UK soldiers died in the conflict, with many more injured. Mr Cummings lost both legs and his left arm in action.

Mr Cummings said he feels "anger, betrayal, [and] sadness" among many other emotions as the government in Afghanistan collapsed.

He added that he can only "keep positive I’m alive". He also expressed thanks to the NHS and army doctors who took care of him following his injuries.

He criticised PM Boris Johnson and President of the United States Joe Biden for claiming that troops’ sacrifices were not in vain: "you say that face to face with a grieving wife or mum."

In recent days and weeks the Taliban, the regime which the US-led coalition removed from power after 2001, have all but taken over Afghanistan, surrounding and entering the country’s capital, Kabul, on Sunday.

READ MORE: Afghanistan: Boris Johnson says change of regime 'clearly' taking place

READ MORE: 'He gave his life for Queen and country': Mother's moving tribute to son

Thousands of desperate Afghan citizens have rushed to the city’s airport in a bid to escape, and US soldiers have fired shots into the air to try and regain control. There are reports on social media that several people have been killed at the scene.

The removal of the Taliban regime by western powers abolished governance based on an extreme version of Sharia law, and granted women rights to work and attend schools and universities.

There are fears that the Taliban’s recent success will lead to the reversal of these rights, leading to punishments such as stoning to death and limb amputations for criminal acts. There are also reports that in areas taken over by the militant group, women are already required to wear burkas and are unable to leave the house without being accompanied by a male relative.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

An Oasis movie is on the way from the creator of Peaky Blinders.

Creator of Peaky Blinders to produce Oasis movie alongside reunion tour

Exclusive
Wes Streeting speaks to LBC

Wes Streeting refuses to be drawn on if doctors and nurses could lose jobs as Labour axes NHS England

Breaking
Hassan Sentamu

'Killer of Croydon schoolgirl will 'forever be villain of family's story' as he's jailed for life

Breaking
Vladimir Putin

Putin says he 'agrees with ceasefire proposals' but warns 'lots of questions' remain about Ukraine deal

Dawn Robinson

En Vogue star Dawn Robinson reveals she has been living in car for three years after becoming homeless

Sara Sharif's father, Urfan Sharif, was found guilty of murdering her.

Sara Sharif's father's 40-year jail term upheld despite appeal as court rules murder sentence 'not unduly lenient'

Department for Work & Pensions.

Number of people claiming Universal Credit for health or disability up by half a million in a year

Sara Sharif's father, Urfan Sharif, was found guilty of murdering her.

Father of Sara Sharif 'should have been jailed for the rest of his life' for murder of ten-year-old daughter, court hears

Exclusive
Keir Starmer speaking to the News Agents

Keir Starmer says he's 'not surprised' that Russia dismissed Ukraine ceasefire deal

A new pill designed to transform the treatment of endometriosis has been approved for use on the NHS. (stock image)

New endometriosis pill approved for use on NHS in breakthrough for women's health

Dramatic moment fugitive channels Spider Man as he climbs tunnel wall to escape police armed with tasers

Dramatic moment fugitive channels Spider Man as he climbs tunnel wall to escape police armed with tasers

The NHS logo.

What is NHS England - and what does abolishing it mean for you?

Rugby players scrum down to push an ambulance of field to help a player who suffered a 'series of seizures' get to hospital

Rugby players scrum down to push ambulance off field after girl suffers 'series of seizures'

Putin aide Yuri Ushakov has said a ceasefire will be a 'temporary respite'

Kremlin aide dismisses short-term ceasefire as ‘temporary respite’ for Ukraine

Mum of girl, 14, knifed to death by dad in ‘playfight’ launches campaign to quash his sentence

Mum of girl, 14, knifed to death by dad in ‘playfight’ launches campaign to quash his sentence

Sir Keir Starmer announced NHS England will be abolished to "cut bureaucracy"

PM abolishes NHS England in bid to reshape 'overcautious and flabby' state - with thousands to lose jobs