Afghanistan: Reported US covert actions 2018
The timeline below contains information on all US air attacks on Afghanistan recorded by the Bureau in 2018. It is updated with the latest US air attacks. We also log Afghan Air Force attacks when they are reported. The Bureau collects information on the US and Afghan strikes and the people they kill from local and international media reports – including the Bureau’s own field investigations – as well as academics and NGOs that cite US, Afghan and Pakistani civil, military and intelligence officials, and witnesses and local people in the affected areas.
Please note that our data changes according to our current understanding of particular strikes. The information below represents our present best estimate.
Background
US aircraft have been bombing Afghanistan since late 2001 and the airstrikes have continued into the Trump administration. Up until December 2014 the US was operating in concert with its allies in the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force. Now it is just the US, and the Afghans, flying strike missions in the country.
The Bureau began tracking the strikes from January 1 2015 onwards, when the US and Nato’s combat mission in Afghanistan came to an end. The Afghan military and police took the lead in fighting the Taliban with the US and its international partners moving into a non-combat “train, advise, assist” role, supporting local forces.
US air forces are still flying combat missions however. There are three targeting authorities that govern the kind of strikes the US can conduct in Afghanistan.
Force protection strikes are intended to protect friendly ground forces who are under attack, or are about to be attacked. From January 1 2015 the US was supposed to stop deliberately going after the Taliban, leaving that to the Afghans. But in June 2016, with the Taliban pushing the Afghan forces to breaking point, the US went on the offensive against the Taliban, under “strategic effect” strikes.
The third authority governs the US’s counter-terrorism strikes, part of its offensive operations against al Qaeda and, since January 2016, Afghanistan’s Islamic State offshoot.
Full data
The Bureau publishes a narrative timeline of US strikes in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Yemen each year. Links for all other timelines can be found here.
We also publish spreadsheets detailing casualty numbers in each country. You can download the entire Afghanistan sheet here.
| Strikes recorded by the Bureau | |
|---|---|
| Total reported strikes | 1985-1986 |
| Total reported killed | 767-1060 |
| Civilians reported killed | 92-163 |
| Children reported killed | 14-51 |
| Total reported injured | 106-166 |
| Total Close Air Support (CAS) sorties with at least one weapon release | 783 |
| Total CAS sorties | 6,584 |
| Total weapons released | 5982 |
Strikes Page 14
"In Wardak Province, 14 strikes destroyed seven command and control sites, one cave, one vehicle, one building, one storage facility, and one tactical unit," the US said in a report.
The report detailed strikes carried out by the US in Afghanistan in September. The release of it brought an end to a year-long blackout on US strike data in Afghanistan (for more on this, see here)
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Wardak province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
US forces said they carried out four strikes in Nangarhar province on this day, destroying seven structures and a tactical unit.
No information was provided on casualty estimates.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A US strike hit Khost province destroying what the US described as a tactical unit.
The information came from a report released by Resolute Support, the US-led Nato mission in Afghanistan.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Khost province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Six strikes hit Helmand destroying "one command and control site, one tactical unit, and one vehicle", a US report said.
There was no casualty information included.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Six US strikes hit Baghlan province on September 10, according to a US report on its strikes that month.
The strikes destroyed two motorcycles and two tactical units (explained in the entry below), the report said.
No information was given on casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Baghlan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
The US carried out two strikes against Taliban leaders and fighters assembled at adjacent compounds in Ghazni's Nawah district, according to a statement accompanying a video of the strikes posted by Resolute Support on DVIDS.
The "double-structure strike" killed 30 members of the Taliban, it said.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nawah district, Ghanzi province
- References: Resolute Support video via DVIDS, US Forces - Afghanistan press release
"In Wardak Province, six strikes destroyed one car bomb facility, one structure, one tactical unit, and denied terrain," a US report stated.
A tactical unit likely refers to a group of fighters designed to function as a single unit in combat. A strike to deny terrain, according to a US spokesperson, is one that does not target buildings or people, but aims to prevent the enemy from occupying or traversing an area of land.
The report, published on Resolute Support's website in October, details US strikes in Afghanistan in September.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Wardak province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike hit Paktia province on September 9, a US report shows.
The strike destroyed one motorcycle and one tactical unit (a definition can be found here).
The report detailed US strikes in September. The release of it brought an end to a year-long blackout on US strike data in Afghanistan (for more on this, see here)
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Paktia province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Eight US strikes hit Nangarhar province on September 9, according to a US report on strikes during that month.
The strikes destroyed "one structure, one tactical unit, and denied terrain".
No additional details were provided.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A US strike in Kunar province destroyed one tactical unit (a definition can be found here).
The above information came from a US report on strikes in Afghanistan in September, the release of which ended a year-long data blackout.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kunar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
In Kapisa province, one US strike destroyed a bomb making facility and one tactical unit, according to the US.
No casualty estimates were given.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kapisa province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Three US strikes hit Baghlan province on September 9, a US report released in October stated.
The strikes "neutralised two vehicles and destroyed one tactical unit", it said.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Baghlan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
The Taliban's chief for Baghlan province's Borka district was killed in an air strike, according to Major Ghulam Hazrat Karimi, a spokesperson for a division of the Afghan army. However, it was unclear whether Afghan or US forces carried out the strike.
The strike reportedly hit a vehicle killing six Taliban fighters and injuring a further three. The Taliban district chief allegedly among the dead. He was was named as Qari Saifuddin, also known as Huzaifa.
The date of the strike was not clear, although it was reported on September 9.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Mangalo area, Baghlan e Markazi district, Baghlan province
- References: Afghan Islamic Press via BBC Monitoring
A compound containing a large weapons and explosives cache was discovered by Afghan forces in Helmand's Nad Ali district. The US Marines' Task Force Southwest conducted a strike to destroy the compound. The strike is shown in a video posted on DVIDS by Resolute Support.
The site was hit by a ground-based rocket artillery strike using the HIMARS, described by the Long War Journal as a "truck mounted multiple launch rocket platform".
The statement accompanying the video said, "In support of ANDSF manoeuvre, Task Force Southwest conducted a strike on the compound with HIMARS to safely and completely eliminate the hazardous material from the battlespace, degrading the Taliban's ability to conduct combat operations in central Helmand."
In a later press release on September's strike figures, the US forces said they carried out five strikes. These, they said, destroyed one structure, one tactical unit and denied terrain.
No casualties estimates were provided.
- Type of strike: US strike using HIMARS
- Location: Nad Ali district, Helmand province
- References: Resolute Support video via DVIDS
In Logar province, two US strikes "denied terrain", according to a report on Resolute Support's website.
Last year, a US spokesperson explained to the Bureau what a "terrain denial" strike was. He said, "These strikes are not targeting buildings or people, but to deny the adversary from occupying or traversing an area of land."
There was no information on casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Five US strikes hit Helmand province on September 8, according to a report published on Resolute Support's website.
The strikes destroyed two tactical units, the meaning of which is outlined in the entry below.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
In a release of data in October, the US said it carried out sevens strike in Wardak on this day.
In the October release, it said the strikes destroyed a cave and one weapons cache.
The strike on the weapons cache was likely shown in a video posted earlier on DVIDS by Resolute Support. It showed a strike hitting what was described as a "HME storage site" in Wardak province on September 8. HME likely stands for homemade explosives.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Wardak province
- References: Resolute Support via DVIDS, US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Paktika province destroyed a vehicle and one tactical unit, according to newly released data from the US.
A tactical unit likely means a group of fighters working as a single unit in combat.
There was no information on casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktika province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
The US hit Nangarhar with a barrage of strikes on September 7, launching 23 in total across the day.
The strikes "destroyed two structures, one tactical unit , and denied terrain", the US said in report.
No casualty estimates were provided.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A US strike neutralised a car bomb in Logar province, according to a US report.
The report detailed US strikes in September. The release of it brought an end to a year-long blackout on US strike data in Afghanistan (for more on this, see here)
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A US strike in Kabul province destroyed a "tactical unit", the US said in a report on strikes in Afghanistan in September.
No casualty estimates were provided.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A US strike in Helmand province destroyed a motorcycle, according to a report published on Resolute Support's website.
There was no information on casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A US strike hit Paktia province on September 6, according to a US report.
The strike destroyed a motorcycle and a tactical unit, which can be defined as an organisation of fighters working as one single unit in combat.
The information was part of a release of data which detailed US strikes in September. The release brought an end to a year-long blackout on US strike data in Afghanistan (for more on this, see here).
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktia province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
The US carried out four strikes in Nangarhar province in efforts to deny terrain to the enemy, according to a US report on its strikes in September.
Last year, a US spokesperson explained to the Bureau what a "terrain denial" strike was. He said, "These strikes are not targeting buildings or people, but to deny the adversary from occupying or traversing an area of land."
There was no information on casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
One civilian was injured in a US strike in Logar province, the American military have admitted in a report released by the Department of Defense (DoD).
Earlier data released by US Forces - Afghanistan showed that two buildings were destroyed in two strikes in Logar.
The strikes also denied terrain, the meaning of which is explained in the entry below.
No information was provided on casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release, DoD annual report on civilian casualties
"In Laghman Province, six strikes destroyed two fighting positions and denied enemy terrain," according to the US military in a report on strikes in Afghanistan in September .
Last year, a US spokesperson explained to the Bureau what a "terrain denial" strike was. He said, "These strikes are not targeting buildings or people, but to deny the adversary from occupying or traversing an area of land."
There was no information on any casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Laghman province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Three strikes in Kunar province destroyed four fighting positions, according to a US report on strikes in Afghanistan in September.
There was no information on casualty estimates.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Kunar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A US strike in Khost province destroyed one tactical unit (a definition can be found here).
The above information came from a US report on strikes in Afghanistan in September, the release of which ended a year-long data blackout.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Khost province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
"In Kandahar Province, one strike destroyed two tactical units, one weapons cache, and one tunnel system," a US report said.
The report detailed US strikes that took place in September. It was published on the website of Resolute Support, the US-led NATO mission, on October 4, following a year blackout on Afghan strike data (more details can be found here).
No casualty estimates were provided.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Three US strikes hit Helmand on September 6, the US said in a report.
The strikes destroyed a drugs lab, a vehicle and a tactical unit, it said.
In November 2017, US forces were given new targeting authorities that allowed them to go after the Taliban's revenue streams and they began striking drugs labs.
There was no information on casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Faryab province hit the compound of a Taliban leader, according to 209th Shaheen Corps (part of the Afghan army), as reported by Khaama Press. However, it was unclear whether the strike was carried out by US or Afghan forces.
The strike reportedly killed at least 13 members of the group and injured a further four. It was unclear if the alleged Taliban leader, named as Qari Rahmatullah, was among the dead.
It was not clear when the strike took place, although it was reported on September 6.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Sayad Koh area, Sherin Tagab district, Faryab province
- References: Khaama Press
A US strike hit Uruzgan province on September 5, according to the US.
In a report posted on the website of Resolute Support, the US-led NATO mission, said the strike "denied terrain".
Last year, a US spokesperson explained to the Bureau what a "terrain denial" strike was. He said, "These strikes are not targeting buildings or people, but to deny the adversary from occupying or traversing an area of land."
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Eight US strikes hit Nangarhar province on September 5, according to data released by the US.
The strikes reportedly destroyed one fighting position and one tactical unit. There was no information on any casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Three US strikes "denied terrain" in Kapisa province on September 5, a report released by the US has said.
Last year, a US spokesperson explained to the Bureau what a "terrain denial" strike was. He said, "These strikes are not targeting buildings or people, but to deny the adversary from occupying or traversing an area of land."
There was no information on casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Kapisa province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
US forces carried out five strikes in Kandahar province on September 5, new data from the US shows.
The strikes destroyed "two tactical units, one vehicle, one weapon, one fighting position, and one improvised explosive device (IED)".
There was no information provided on casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Three US strikes hit Helmand on September 5, destroying a drugs lab, alongside a motorcycle and a tactical unit, new data released by the US shows.
In November 2017, US forces were given new targeting authorities that allowed them to go after the Taliban's revenue streams and they began striking drugs labs.
There was no information on casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Three strikes destroyed a vehicle in Ghazni province, according to a US report detailing strikes in September.
There was no casualty information.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
In Wardak province, two US strikes "denied terrain", according to newly released US data.
Last year, a US spokesperson explained to the Bureau what a "terrain denial" strike was. He said, "These strikes are not targeting buildings or people, but to deny the adversary from occupying or traversing an area of land."
There was no information on casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Wardak province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Two strikes in Nangarhar province destroyed one tactical unit (a definition can be found here).
The above information came from a US report on strikes in Afghanistan in September, the release of which ended a year-long data blackout.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A US strike in Kunduz province destroyed one tactical unit, according to the US military.
No information was provided on casualty estimates.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kunduz province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
"In Kunar Province, four strikes destroyed one fighting position, one weapons cache, and one tactical unit," a US report says.
The report detailed US strikes that took place in September. It was published on the website of Resolute Support, the US-led NATO mission, on October 4, following a year blackout on Afghan strike data (more details can be found here).
No casualty estimates were provided.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Kunar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A US strike in Kandahar province destroyed one vehicle and one tactical unit, according to US data.
A tactical unit has been described elsewhere as an "organisation of troops designed to function as a single unit in combat".
No information was given on casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Two US strikes took place in Herat province on September 4.
This information came from the US, who released a report on the military's strikes in Afghanistan in September.
The strikes destroyed one tactical unit, it said.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Herat province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
"In Helmand Province, nine strikes destroyed eight vehicles, two tactical units, one command and control site, and one fighting position," a US military report read.
The report was published on Resolute Support's website and detailed US strikes in Afghanistan in September.
No further details were provided.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
AFG516 link
3 September 2018
The US has said a strike in Paktika province destroyed one tactical unit.
A tactical unit has been described as an "organisation of troops designed to function as a single unit in combat".
The information was released by the US in October, along with information on all other strikes carried out in September.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktika province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
In Logar province, a strike destroyed a rocket, according to a US report.
The information was released as part of report on US strikes in Afghanistan in September. It was published on the website of Resolute Support, the US-led NATO mission, on October 4, following a year blackout on Afghan strike data (more details can be found here).
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
US forces carried out a strike in Kapisa province on September 3, US data shows.
A report posted on the website of Resolute Support, the US-led NATO mission, said the strike "denied terrain". Last year, a US spokesperson explained to the Bureau what a "terrain denial" strike was. He said, "These strikes are not targeting buildings or people, but to deny the adversary from occupying or traversing an area of land."
There was no information on casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kapisa province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Two US strikes in Kabul province on September 3 destroyed one structure and one tactical unit, according to the US military.
While it does not specify what a tactical unit is, it is described elsewhere as an "organisation of troops designed to function as a single unit in combat".
No information was given on casualties.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
US forces carried out four strikes in Helmand province on September 3, newly released US data shows.
The strikes destroyed one "tactical unit". No casualty information was given.
The information was part of a release of data which detailed US strikes in September. The release brought an end to a year-long blackout on US strike data in Afghanistan (for more on this, see here)
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A US strike in Kandarhar province on September 2 destroyed one "homemade explosive cache", newly released data shows.
The data comes from a report published on Resolute Support's website. It details strikes carried out in September.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
