British soldier lost three limbs and watched pals die in Afghanistan 'for nothing'

A former British soldier has said he probably lost his legs "for nothing" and that his "mates died in vain" after the West's withdrawal from Afghanistan that has seen Taliban take control in Kabul.

There have been chaotic scenes in the Afghan capital as people desperately have tried to catch planes leaving the country as the Taliban have seized power.

Afghanistan's leadership has crumbled following the removal of Western armies and the progress made by the Taliban in gaining territories has been surprising.

Former royal engineer Jack Cummings has looked on and said that it is "heartbreaking" to see.

He tweeted about how he now has a sense of "betrayal" and "sadness" at the way that the Taliban have been able to take over.

He tweeted: "Was it worth it, probably not.

"Did I lose my legs for nothing, looks like it. Did my mates die in vain. Yep."

Jack headed to Afghanistan as part of the UK army in a bid to tackle the threat of the Taliban after the 2001, September 11, attack.

There were 455 UK soldiers who died in Afghanistan and many more injured along with Jack, who lost both legs and his left arm.

Jack also felt that the efforts of other soldiers had not been worth it. Pictured in Prince Harry talking to Clive Smith who also lost limbs in Afghanistan (PA)

He said he feels "anger, betrayal, sadness" among many other emotions while he can only "keep positive I’m alive".

Jack said he now has to be positive because he is "alive".

He said: "All I can do is keep positive, positive I’m a alive when 454 didn’t make it home. Thankful to my team, the mighty Team Yellow Stone. Thankful to the incredible nurses and doctors from @NHSuk @ArmyMedServices"

Panic and chaos led to deaths at Kabul airport as people trying to flee the Taliban crowded runways and clung to planes.

Some were crushed and others who held on to a departing US jet fell hundreds of feet to their deaths.

There are fears that the Taliban will now look to return Afghanistan to their extreme Islamic views and reverse the liberalisation that has taken place in the country including with women's rights.

Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, an ex-British Army captain who has called for an inquiry into the West’s withdrawal of troops, slammed the “chaotic exodus”.

Comparing it to the US leaving Vietnam in 1975, he said: “If this is not Saigon 2.0 I don’t know what is.”

He added: “Is this how we thought we’d depart Afghanistan?”