US forces carried out a strike in Nangarhar province on September 2, new information released by the US military 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."

For more information on the release of this data, see here.

• Type of strike: US air or drone strike
• Location: Nangarhar province
• References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release

The US carried out four strikes in Helmand province on September 2, data from the US military shows.

The strikes destroyed one motorcycle and one tactical unit, it said.

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: Helmand province
• References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release

A "command and control site" was destroyed in a strike in Farah province, new US data shows.

The above information was released in a report detailing 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 strike
• Location: Farah province
• References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release

US forces carried out a strike in Nangarhar province on September 1, new data released by the US shows.

A report posted on the website of Resolute Support, the US-led NATO mission, said the strike destroyed "one tactical unit".

While the report does not include a definition of what a tactical unit is, it is described elsewhere as an "organisation of troops designed to function as a single unit in combat".

This releases ends a blackout we had been facing for the past year in regards to US data on strikes in Afghanistan, and provides further detail than previously available. For more information on this, please see the entry below.

Casualty estimates were not included in the data provided.

• Type of strike: US air or drone strike
• Location: Nangarhar province
• References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release

US forces carried out a strike in Helmand province on September 1, new data released by the US shows.

A report posted on the website of Resolute Support, the US-led NATO mission, said the strike "destroyed one command and control site and one tactical unit".

A year ago, the US stopped providing the Bureau with monthly strike totals declaring the information too sensitive for public release.

The new release represents a reversal of that policy. The data also provides more information than previously available, detailing in what province the strikes took place in and when each one was launched. Casualty estimates are however not given.

The report says that a strike refers to "one or more kinetic engagements that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative effect in that location".

• Type of strike: US air or drone strike
• Location: Helmand province
• References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release

A US strike in Paktia province killed over 30 militants and injured a further 22, according to a statement from the 203rd Thunder Corps (part of the Afghan army) as reported by Khaama Press.

It was not clear when the strikes took place (it was reported on 1 September), or which group the alleged militants belonged to.

The sourcing is too vague to include this in our database of confirmed US strikes as yet.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Zargul area, Syedabad district, Paktia province
• References: Khaama Press

A "foreign force" air strike killed four Taliban members in Parwan province, local officials told TOLO News.

The strike prevented the insurgents from launching an attack on Bagram airbase, the officials reportedly said.

The strike was confirmed by Wahida Shahkar Parwan, the provincial governor’s spokesperson.

The US is the only country known to be carrying out strike missions in Afghanistan, aside from the Afghan Air Force.

• Type of strike: US air or drone strike
• Location: Parwan province
• References: TOLO News

A US strike killed at least four fighters and injured a further six in Paktia province, according to Khaama Press.

Their information came from the 203rd Thunder Corps, which is part of the Afghan army. However, this does not meet our methodology's sourcing standards, which you can read more about here.

This strike will therefor be included here as a possible US strike, unless more information comes to light.

It was not clear when the strike took place, but it was reported on August 31.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Kohsin area, Syed Karam district, Paktia province
• References: Khaama Press

A series of US drone strikes targeted hideouts belonging to Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State in Nangarhar province, according to Khaama Press.

The strikes reportedly killed at least seven members of the group.

Their information came from the 201st Silab Corps, which is of the Afghan army. However, we only record strikes in our database when they are reported by a named or unnamed US official, named Afghan officials, or anonymous sources from either country combined with one other kind of source, such as a local resident. These strikes are therefor included here as possible US strikes for now.

It was not clear when the strikes took place, but they were reported by Khaama Press on August 29.

• Type of strike: Possible US strikes
• Location: Wazir Tangi area, Khogyani district, Nangarhar province
• References: Khaama Press

A US strike killed the Taliban's shadow district governor for Kapisa province, local officials told TOLO News.

Qari Yousuf was reportedly killed alongside two other insurgents. A local police official said a woman was also injured in the strike.

However, we cannot include this strike in our database as we require Afghan officials to be named as part of our methodology. You can read more about our methodology here.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Alasay district, Kapisa province
• References: TOLO News

An air strike killed 73 Taliban members and injured a further 31 while defending a convoy of Afghan soldiers attacked while exiting the district of Ghormach in Faryab province, according to Pajhwok News.

It was not entirely clear what happened from the reporting, with the mention of both Afghan and Nato air forces being involved, yet only one strike reported.

In the attack, four members of the Afghan security forces were reportedly killed and seven others injured.

Mullah Sherin Gul, reportedly the Taliban’s shadow chief for the district the convoy was heading to (Qaisar district), is believed to have been killed. Six other Taliban commanders were also reportedly killed, named as: Mullah Shah Wali, Mullah Qayyum, Mullah Ibrahim, Qari Surgul, Mualvi Jan Mohammad and Mualvi Noor Mohammad.

We will record this here as a possible US strike due to the confusion in the reporting.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Ghormach district, Faryab province
• References: Pajhwok

Strikes carried out in Ghazni province killed at least 28 fighters and injured a further eight, according to Khaama Press, but it was not clear whether the strikes were carried out by Afghan or US forces.

The strikes reportedly hit the districts of Moqor and Gilan, destroying three vehicles captured by the fighters.

Khaama Press' information came the 203rd Thunder Corps, which is part of the Afghan military.

The date of the strikes was not clear, but they were reported on August 27.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Kunar province
• References: Khaama Press

Two civilians were killed in a US airstrike in Zabul province, according to a report released by the Department of Defense (DoD).

The information was released in DoD's annual report on civilian casualties.

No further details are currently known.

• Type of strike: US air or drone strike
• Location: Zabul province
• References: DoD annual report on civilian casualties

A US strike killed at least three Taliban fighters and left a further three injured in Paktia province, according to Khaama Press. The evening strike was reportedly carried out close to the province's Zurmat district.

Khaama Press' information came from a statement from the province's media office. However, this does not meet our methodology's sourcing standards, which you can read more about here. This strike will therefor be included here as a possible US strike, unless more information comes to light.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Kunar province
• References: Khaama Press

Russia and Tajikistan have denied being behind strikes Afghan officials say were carried out by Russian or Tajik aircraft in Takhar province, which borders Tajikistan.

It seems clashes broke out between drug smugglers and Tajik and Afghan border guards or Tajik forestry officials, during which a strike was carried out.

Khalil Asir, a spokesperson for Takhar's provincial police, said eight Taliban were killed and six wounded in the strikes, after a clash in which two Tajik border guards were killed.

The New York Times said the airstrike took place in a heavily forested area that is claimed by both Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

Lieutenant Colonel Martin O'Donnell, a US military spokesperson, said the US military did not conduct any air raids in the area.

References: Al Jazeera, The New York Times

The leader of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State has been killed in a US drone strike, US and Afghan officials have said.

Abu Saad Erhabi, also known as Abu Saad Orakzai, was reportedly killed alongside at least nine other members in Nangarhar province. VOA said the nine were his commanders, while BBC reported ten other members were killed.

Lieutenant Colonel Martin O'Donnell, a US military spokesperson, confirmed US forces conducted a counter-terrorism strike on August 25 that "targeted a senior leader of a designated terrorist organization." He stopped short of confirming Erhabi's death. However, the US officially confirmed his death on September 2.

Afghan Presidential Spokesperson Shahussain Murtazawi tweeted the strike dealt a "major blow to Daesh [Islamic State] in Afghanistan"

The NDS, Afghanistan's intelligence agency, said Erhabi was killed in a joint air and ground operation, as did Attaullah Khogyani, the provincial governor’s spokesperson.

Afghan and US forces have led an intensified campaign to bring an end to Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State.

Erhabi has been leader of the group following the death of his predecessor Abu Sayed, who was killed in a strike in July 2017. In August that year, Abdul Rahman was also killed in a strike - tipped to be Abu Sayed's replacement. Abu Sayed was chosen to lead the group after Abdul Hasib, the previous leader, was killed in a joint raid by US and Afghan forces in April 2017. He had replaced Hafiz Sayed Khan who was killed in a US drone strike in July 2016.

• Type of strike: US air or drone strike
• Location: Khogyani district, Nangarhar province
• References: The Times, BBC, AFP, VOA, Fox News, Resolute Support press release

At least five members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State were killed in US drone strikes in Kunar province, according to a statement from the 201st Silab Military Corps (part of the Afghan army) as reported by Khaama Press.

The strikes reportedly hit the group's hideouts in the province's Narang and Manogi districts.

We only record strikes in our database when they are reported by a named or unnamed US official, named Afghan officials, or anonymous sources from either country combined with one other kind of source, such as a local resident. These strikes are therefor included here as possible US strikes.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Narang and Manogi districts, Kunar province
• References: Pajhwok

Three strikes carried out in Faryab province killed over 100 militants, including some senior Taliban leaders, the Afghan military has said, according to Khaama Press.

Mawlavi Matiullah, described as the military commission chief of the Taliban for the north, was reportedly among those killed. Other senior Taliban leaders allegedly killed have been identified as Mawlavi Abdul Baqi (also known as Omar), Commander Shirzad, and Mawlavi Jabar (also known as Bilal).

The strikes hit in the bordering region of Garziwan and Bulcharagh districts, the statement said.

It was not clear whether US or Afghan forces carried out the strikes, so we have recorded them here as possible US strikes. It was also not clear when they took place, but they were reported on August 21.

• Type of strike: Possible US strikes
• Location: Faryab province
• References: Khaama Press

The US carried out strikes in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, according to Khaama Press.

Their information was based on the the 201st Silab Corps, which is part of the Afghan military. The Bureau only includes strikes from named Afghan sources so these will be included here as possible strikes.

The first strike reportedly killed three Taliban fighters and injured a further two in Nangarhar province's Sherzad district. A vehicle belonging to the group was also destroyed.

More strikes hit in Kunar province's Noor Gul district. They reportedly targeted Islamic State hideouts, leaving one member of the group dead. He was identified as Aminullah.

It was not clear when the strikes took place, but they were reported on August 19.

• Type of strike: Possible US strikes
• Location: Nangarhar and Kunar provinces
• References: Khaama Press

A local militant commander was killed and another injured in a US drone strike in Laghman province, Sarhadi Zwak, the provincial governor's spokesperson, told Afghan Islamic Press.

The strike hit Tamin area of the province's Alisheng district.

It was not clear when the strike took place, but it was reported on August 16.

• Type of strike: US air or drone strike
• Location: Tamin area, Alisheng district, Laghman district
• References: Afghan Islamic Press via BBC monitoring

US strikes hit Helmand province's Nad Ali district, according to Omar Zwak, spokesperson for the provincial governor.

Taliban positions were targeted in the district's Chah Anjir area, leaving 13 members of the group dead, Zwak said, according to Afghan Islamic Press.

In Nad Ali's Triz Nawar area, at least 14 other alleged insurgents were killed and seven injured in a "similar raid", the official added.

Zwak said the insurgents had planned to carry out attacks on Afghan security outposts in the district.

It was not clear when the strikes took place, but they were reported on August 16.

In their annual report on civilian casualties the US admitted to killing three civilians in a strike in Helmand on this day.

Khaama Press also covered these strikes. In their reporting a further strike was mentioned as having taken place in Nahr Siraj district last week, killing 19 militants. However, the sourcing was too vague to include it in our database.

• Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
• Location: Nad Ali district, Helmand province
• References: Afghan Islamic Press via BBC monitoring, Khaama Press, DoD annual report on civilian casualties

At least three militants were killed in a US strike in Khost province, according to a statement from the 203rd Thunder Corps (part of the Afghan army) as reported by Khaama Press.

There were no details on what group those killed allegedly belonged to, the exact location or the date of the strike (we have recorded it on August 15 as that is when it was reported by Khaama).

It will be recorded here as a possible US strike as the sourcing does not meet the standards of our methodology.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Khost province
• References: Khaama Press

US forces carried out a strike Nangarhar's Deh Bala district killing one member of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State, according to Khaama Press.

Their information came from a statement from the 201st Silab Corps, which is part of the Afghan army. The Bureau only includes strikes from named Afghan officials in our database of confirmed US strikes. This strike will therefor be recorded here as a possible US strike.

It was not clear when the strike occurred, but it was reported on August 14.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Deh Bala district, Nangarhar province
• References: Khaama Press

A family from Ghazni have said that 16 relatives were killed in strikes by government forces during the battle for the city, according to TOLO News.

The details of the incident are unclear from the quotes, both attributed to unnamed residents.

“Sixteen members of our family have been martyred in the airstrikes. Why did the aircrafts not bomb their targets during the day? Why did they do this at night and target people’s houses?” one resident told TOLO News.

“The airstrikes started at 10pm at night. We tried to find a safe place. They hit my house. I saved myself and my son from inside, from the dust. My wife was wounded on her leg. There were 20 children in our house. They were all with me until dawn when the aircrafts left. Taliban were roaming confidently in our area when I went out of the house," another resident said, whose house TOLO reported had also been hit in the strikes.

The 2018 UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) Protection of Civilians report referenced this incident, reporting that "one airstrike in the Pashtun Abad area of Ghazni City killed 16 civilians, including seven children". The report further notes that this incident is currently under review by Resolute Support.

Ghazni Governor Wahidullah Kalimzai responded to TOLO, saying: “The search operation is still ongoing. The team is working to assess casualties. We have not received such a report so far. I hope that it has not happened. We don’t have reports on civilian casualties due to airstrikes by government or coalition forces. I hope that the incident is not true and civilians and the poor people are not affected.”

We reached out to Resolute Support, despite claims it was an Afghan Air Force strike. A US spokesperson responded with the following:

Although we have monitored articles like the one at link below [TOLO news article on the incident], no proof has been brought to our attention yet. Therefore, we are unable to verify the veracity of the claims at present. That said, we take all allegations of civilian casualties seriously. Should there be an update, we will provide it.We will update this post when more information comes to light.

Following the release of the UNAMA report, we have reached back out to Resolute Support with renewed allegations of civilian harm and for further clarification on both whether it was a US or Afghan forces strike. We will update this post when we have more information.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Khoshal Mina, Ghazni City, Ghazni province
• References: TOLO News, Resolute Support via email, UNAMA report

US forces carried out a total of 32 airstrikes between August 10-13 as part of efforts to end a Taliban offensive on Ghazni, according to a US military statement released on August 17.

The strikes killed over 220 Taliban fighters, it said.

US Spokesperson Lt Col O'Donnell said US forces carried out an initial strike on August 10. A further five strikes were then carried out on August 11, with 16 on August 12, and ten on August 13. We had recorded two for August 10.

This upped a figure provided on August 13. The US military had said there had been two dozen air strikes launched over the past few days killing more than 140 Taliban fighters.

Taliban fighters attempted to overrun the provincial capital of Ghazni on August 10. The fighting has been intense, with over a hundred Afghan police officers and soldiers killed in just a few days.

• Type of strike: US air or drone
• Location: Ghazni
• References: Reuters, New York Times, Resolute Support press release, Khaama Press

A key Taliban commander was killed and three of his guards injured in a drone strike on a Taliban hideout in Laghman province, according to a statement from the 201 Silab Corps (part of the Afghan army) reported by Xinhua.

The statement said the strike was carried out early on August 12 following a tip off.

The US is the only country known to be flying armed drones.

We only record strikes in our database when they are reported by a named or unnamed US official, named Afghan officials, or anonymous sources from either country combined with one other kind of source, such as a local resident. This strike is therefor included here as a possible US strike.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Laghman province
• References: Xinhua

Taliban fighters attempted to overrun the provincial capital of Ghazni overnight. Officials said the insurgents entered the city from two directions and opened fire on all security checkpoints.

During the battle the US provided air support. A statement from the US military said fighting had ceased by 8am and Afghan forces had held their ground and maintained control of all government centres.

“US forces responded with close-air support (US attack helicopters) and conducted one strike (drone). In addition, US aircraft conducted a show of presence,” Lt Col Martin O’Donnell, the spokesman for US Forces-Afghanistan, said in a statement emailed to the Guardian.

The Afghan air force did not carry out strikes in order to prevent civilian casualties, according to Mr. Noori, the governor’s spokesperson.

Some officials have said at least 14 police officers were killed in the attack. Ghazni's health director told the BBC that at least 16 people have died and 40 have been taken to hospital, with most of the casualties security forces personnel. One official said he had seen around 30 bodies of Taliban members on the street. It is unclear how many of these casualties were caused by the US air support.

We have recorded one to two strikes in our database. We had at first recorded two strikes - one referring to the use of attack helicopters and the second for the drone strike - but a later statement from a US military spokesperson said just one strike had occurred on August 10. We however included a range as some databases, such as the Air Power Summaries, do not include strikes by US army helicopters.

• Type of strike: US air or drone strike
• Location: Ghazni city, Ghazni province
• References: Guardian, BBC, The New York Times

Afghan officials said a US strike killed members of the Afghan police force. But while the US does not deny carrying out the strike, it said it determined no Afghan security force members were killed.

“Following a review of footage from the strike conducted by US Forces-Afghanistan in support of Afghan operations and in defense of Afghan forces in Azra district, Logar province, August 7, we have determined that no Afghan security force members were killed,” Lt. Col. Martin L. O’Donnell, a spokesperson for the US military said.

“The footage clearly depicts an attack on an Afghan security force observation post by a group of fighting-aged males using multiple heavy weapons and tactics, techniques and procedures employed by the Taliban from an open position on a ridgeline above the observation post,” the spokesperson added.

This contradicts many Afghan officials. The New York Times provided a list of officials who agreed that members of the police force were among the victims. This included Shamshad Larawai, the spokesman for the governor of Logar Province; the Azra District governor, Hamidullah; Mr. Gul, the local police commander at the scene; a provincial councilman, Abdul Wali, who is from Azra; and Nasrat Rahimi, the deputy spokesman for the Ministry of the Interior.

"Anyone who denies any police were killed are liars and rumormongers,” Mr. Gul said in an interview on Wednesday. “Definitely American forces bombed our front line and 12 police were killed here and five more were killed on another outpost. They bombed our lines instead of the Taliban’s lines.”

Local officials have said that during heavy fighting in Logar province's Azra district, police called in air support but their positions were mistakenly hit. The Afghan Interior Ministry Spokesperson Nasrat Rahimi said the incident occurred during the hours-long overnight battle against insurgents. Abdul Wali Wakeel, a member of the provincial council, told Pajhwok that the Taliban had staged a coordinated attack from different directions on Azra, which reportedly shares a border with Nangarhar. He said the insurgents were closing in on the district centre amid fierce gun-battles.

In the NYT article published on August 10, the death toll had reached 17. But earlier estimates differed. Hamidullah Hamid, provincial council chief, told AFP "foreign forces" hit two police checkpoints and killed "about 15 police". Rahimi said nine police were killed and 14 or 15 wounded (he is quoted giving different figures in the reporting). He said 30 insurgents were also killed. However, Maj. Mohammad Farooq, a spokesperson for a division of the Afghan army, said three police had died. Gen. Abdul Raziq said that a group of local police and uprisers had been hit.

It is unclear how the conclusions of the US military and Afghan officials differ so greatly. The US military said their determination was supported “by firsthand accounts from Afghan security force leaders and members present during the incident, who confirmed those firing upon them were Taliban members.”

The New York Times said no official has emerged to to publicly state that the airstrikes did not kill police officers, although some claimed that Taliban fighters were killed as well.

• Type of strike: US air or drone strike
• Location: Azra district, Logar province
• References: Pajhwok, AFP, The New York Times

At least six militants were killed and seven others injured during operations and a strike, according to a statement from 20th Pamir Division (part of the Afghan army) reported in Khaama Press.

It was unclear whether US or Afghan forces carried out the strike, or how many of the casualties resulted from the strike alone. The date was also not given, but it was reported on August 4.

• Type of strike: Possible US strikes
• Location: Khwajah Ghar district, Takhar province
• References: Khaama Press

US forces carried out a series of strikes in the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar, according to a statement from the 201st Silab Corp (part of the Afghan army).

The strikes, reported in Khaama Press, could not be added to our database due to the sourcing. The Bureau only includes strikes from named Afghan sources.

The reported drone strikes in Nangarhar province hit two areas in Deh Bala district and are believed to have killed at least six members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State.

It was not clear when they occurred, but Khaama Press reported them on August 2.

The strikes in Kunar are added into the entry below.

• Type of strike: Possible US strikes
• Location: Milwa and Gorgori areas, Deh Bala district, Nangarhar province
• References: Khaama Press

US forces carried out a series of strikes in the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar, according to a statement from the 201st Silab Corp (part of the Afghan army).

The strikes, reported in Khaama Press, could not be added to our database due to the sourcing. The Bureau only includes strikes from named Afghan sources.

The reported drone strikes in Kunar province hit Watapur district and targeted Taliban fighters. A Taliban member identified as Masiullah was reportedly killed.

It was not clear when they occurred, but Khaama Press reported them on August 2.

The strikes in Nangarhar are added into the entry above.

• Type of strike: Possible US strikes
• Location: Watapur district, Kunar province
• References: Khaama Press

US drone strikes killed a Taliban "Red Unit" commander and five of his security guards while they were travelling in a vehicle, according to Khaama Press.

Their information came from a statement from the 201st Silab Corps, a division of the Afghan army. We record strikes in our database from named Afghan officials so this will be recorded as a possible strike.

The "Red Unit" is the Taliban's "special forces" branch.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Pechghan Valley, Nejrab district, Kapisa province
• References: Khaama Press

An unnamed official said a "foreign forces" air strike killed one member of the police and injured another, but a police spokesperson said they died in a clash and not a strike.

The official said strikes hit checkpoints that were believed to be coming under attack by the Taliban, but some Afghan police had not yet vacated these posts. Afghan forces had reportedly informed the "foreign forces" (the US is the only foreign country know to be carrying out strikes in Afghanistan) about gunfire in the district bazaar.

However Salim Jawed, spokesperson for the "public order police", said the casualties arose from a brief clash between them and the Afghan commando forces.

Due to the inconsistencies in the reporting, we have recorded this as a possible US strike.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Dashti Archi district, Kunduz province
• References: Pajhwok

Pajhwok reported a number of strikes across Nangarhar, but it was unclear if Afghan or US forces carried out the strikes.

Two separate strikes were reported in Nazian and Achin districts. We already have two possible strikes in these districts recorded in the entry below.

A third strike took place in Haska Mena district, reportedly killing seven members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State.

It was not clear when the strikes were carried out but they were reported on July 27.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Nangarhar province
• References: Pajhwok

One civilian was killed and another injured in a US forces ground operation in Uruzgan province, according to a report released by the Department of Defense (DoD).

The information was released in DoD's annual report on civilian casualties.

• Type of strike: US ground operation
• Location: Uruzgan province
• References: DoD annual report on civilian casualties

Six militants were killed in an air strike in Paktia province, a police official has said, although it was unclear whether US or Afghan forces carried it out.

Police Spokesperson Sardar Wali Tabasum told Pajhwok that it was a joint operation with US and Afghan forces. Alongside the strike, several fighters were caught by security personnel.

It was not specified what group the fighters reportedly belonged to. Residents claimed that most of the individuals detained had no links to a militant group.

We will record this strike as a possible US strike.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Kohsin area, Syed Karam district, Paktia province
• References: Pajhwok

Two civilians were killed in a US airstrike in Helmand, according to a report released by the Department of Defense (DoD).

The information was released in DoD's annual report on civilian casualties. No further information is currently known.

• Type of strike: US air or drone strike
• Location: Helmand province
• References: DoD annual report on civilian casualties

The Taliban’s two top leaders in Kapisa province were killed by a US strike in support of an Afghan Special Forces raid in the province’s Tagab district on July 22, a Resolute Support press release stated.

“I can confirm that Mullah Nasim Mushfaq, Taliban shadow governor of Kapisa, and Qari Ehsanullah, Taliban district shadow governor of Tagab, were among those killed during the conduct of an Afghan-led operation,” said US Army Lt. Col. Martin L. O’Donnell, Resolute Support spokesperson.

“Mushfaq and Ehsanullah, two Taliban irreconcilables, were impediments to peace,” said O’Donnell. “Their removal delivers a critical blow to the Taliban network in the central region of Afghanistan, and opens an opportunity for reconciliation and a peaceful settlement.”

In a previous response, a US military spokesperson defined "Taliban irreconcilables" as "Taliban members who refuse to listen to the Afghan peoples' calls for them to take the courageous step towards peace and reconciliation."

The press release said the Taliban had confirmed the death of its two leaders.

A further 15 members of the group were killed in the ground raid and two others were detained, it added.

• Type of strike: US air or drone strike
• Location: Tagab district, Kapisa province
• References: Resolute Support press release via email

The US military carried out strikes in two districts in Nangarhar province, Khaama Press reported.

One of the strikes reportedly killed three members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State in Achin district's Bagh Dara area. The other strike targeted the group in Spin Zhai area in Nazian, killing one alleged member.

Khaama Press' source was a statement from the "provincial security commandment". The Bureau will include a strike in its database when it is reported by a named or unnamed US official, named Afghan officials, or anonymous sources from either country combined with one other kind of source, such as a local resident. These strikes is included here as a possible US strike.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Achin and Nazian district, Nangarhar province
• References: Khaama Press

A US airstrike in Kunduz's Chardara district killed 12 civilians and injured one other, the US military found after the incident was escalated to a formal investigation.

Previous US investigations into reports of civilian casualties had found there was no substance to the allegations, contradicting reports from residents and some Afghan officials. Initial reports claimed that 14 members of one family had been been killed.

Eight of the dead were women and three were children, officials have said, killed when a strike hit the house they were in. The New York Times was later given a list by family members of the victims, which was verified by government officials and hospital staff. This list included five women, seven children aged 2 to 14, and two men (a father and an uncle to the children).

The UN Mission in Afghanistan's Protection of Civilians report detailed the incident:

The incident took place during a ground operation by Afghan national security forces, including Afghan National Army commandos, who were supported by international military forces on the ground. During the operation, Afghan forces reportedly came under attack and responded with heavy gunfire, followed by mortars, on the compound from which they believed the shooting originated. A member of the family inside the compound reportedly called an Afghan Local Police commander stationed nearby to ask for help getting out of the house, but before anything could be done, an international military forces’ jet conducted an airstrike on the corner of the compound where they were located. A second bomb was then dropped directly on the house, completely destroying the building.

"With the help of one excavator we started looking for dead bodies. First, we found my sister in law. She was still hugging her two children. I tried to separate them, but it was too painful. So, I covered them together in a blanket," a relative of the victims told UNAMA.

The local police chief also said 12 civilians were killed. A further two children later included in the death toll as they were present in the house, but their bodies could not be found in the rubble, residents and relatives said. Another two children, aged three and five, were taken to hospital with serious wounds.

"There wasn’t a single armed person in those homes,” Hajji Sherin Agha, a local elder told the New York Times. A resident, who drove the tractor used to excavate the bombed house and pull out the bodies, said he lost his nephews, Farid and Zainullah.

The claims were at first refuted by both the US military and the Afghan side. A US military spokesperson said that while US forces did conduct strikes in Chardara, an "on-the-ground assessment of those strikes reveals no indications they caused civilian casualties”.

A US press release published six days later said an investigation was underway. However, this investigation concluded, with the US military announcing on August 10: “After carefully considering all relevant and reasonably available information, which included a review of the Afghan government’s report of findings, our investigation found no credible information to corroborate the allegations."

A US spokesperson told New York Times that aerial video footage showed a single bomb dropped on two homes where the Taliban had been firing from for more than an hour, and the firing stopped as soon as the bomb was dropped.

The spokesperson also said no Afghans had come forward to document any civilian deaths. When informed about a list given to the NYT of the names of all 14 fatalities (the list was provided by family members and verified by government officials and the Kunduz hospital, where 12 of the dead were taken), US Spokesperson Colonel O’Donnell said, “When we’re presented with any credible evidence, if something is provided to us we will take a look at it.”

On the Afghan side, Major Saifuddin Azizi of the 10th commando battalion, part of the Afghan army, had called the civilian casualty allegations "propaganda by the enemy"

But there were later shifts in government's position. The New York Times reports that the Kunduz governor's spokesperson denied the allegations at first, but later admitted that "during an explosion, the type of which is not clear, some Afghan civilians were killed and wounded."

Mohammad Radmanish, the spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Defence, said there had been an Afghan operation against terrorists, but added, “as you know, terrorists use civilians as shields”. He reportedly told Reuters that it was unclear whether the strike had been conducted by the Afghan airforce or US aircraft. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence put out a statement that while providing no details, admitted civilian casualties.

The US military confirmed this death toll in the DoD's annual report on civilian casualties.

• Type of strike: US air or drone strike
• Location: Chardara district, Kunduz province
• References: New York Times, Reuters, US Forces - Afghanistan press release, The New York Times, Reuters, UNAMA report, DoD annual report on civilian casualties

A least 14 members of an unspecified militant group were killed and four other injured in strikes in Chardara and Dashti Archi districts of Kunduz province, Khaama reported.

Their information came from a statement from the 209th Shaheen Corps, part of the Afghan army.

It was not clear whether Afghan or US forces carried out the strikes. The date they occurred was also not clear, but Khaama Press reported them on July 17.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Kunduz
• References: Khaama Press

Twelve members of the Taliban have been killed in a strike by "foreign forces" in Kandahar's Maroof district, Police Spokesperson Zia Durrani told Pajhwok News.

The strike hit a pick-up truck carrying the insurgents in Kalawamado area of the district late on July 15, he said. The group's local commander was reportedly injured in the incident.

The US is the only country aside Afghanistan flying strike missions. We have recorded this as a confirmed US strike in our database.

• Type of strike: US air or drone strike
• Location: Kalawamado area, Maroof district, Kandahar province
• References:Pajhwok

An air strike hit a meeting of high level Taliban leaders in Ghazni province killing at least 24 members of the group and injuring a further 17, Khaama Press reported based on a statement from the Afghan Ministry of Defence.

Those attending the meeting reportedly included Mullah Amir Khan Mutaqi (described as the former Taliban defence minister), Mullah Shah Mohammad (Quetta Council member), Mullah Yousuf (described as the Taliban’s shadow governor for Ghazni) and Mullah Sayed Almas (described as the group’s shadow governor for Paktia province). Preliminary information received by the MoD indicates that Mutaqi, Mohammad and Yousuf sustained injuries.

It is not clear whether Afghan or US forces carried out the strike. We have recored it here as a possible US strike. The date it occurred was also not clear, but it was reported on July 12.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Langa Village, Nawa district, Ghazni province
• References: Khaama Press

Large scale casualties were reported from an operation in Paktia province's Zurmat district, with Pajhwok reporting the deaths of 20 civilians and 26 insurgents.

A resident told Pajhwok that eleven civilians, including three children and as many women, were killed in a strike on their home, while a further nine civilians were killed by government forces during ground operations.

In the reporting, it was unclear whether US or Afghan forces has carried out the strike, although TOLO reported high Taliban death toll from Afghan Air Force strikes in the province and mentioned Taliban claims of civilians casualties in relation to these. In an email to the Bureau, a US military spokesperson confirmed US forces did conduct strikes in support of Afghan ground operations in the area, but said that an assessment of those strikes "reveals no indications they caused civilian casualties".

The US spokesperson said they were however aware of claims of civilian casualties caused by Afghan forces. The Afghan president has directed relevant organisations to conduct a "serious and inclusive investigation", a press release from the Office of the President said.

Hakim Waziri, Zurmat district chief, also seemed to confirm civilian casualties in the operations, but said exact figures were not yet known. Provincial officials have said they investigating the allegations in relation to this.

We have recorded two US strikes in our database, as the US has confirmed more than one strike, but we are not sure how many. We have also included a range of 0-11 as the civilian death toll. This reflects the claim 11 civilians were killed in a strike and the US confirmation of strikes in the area.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Zurmat district, Paktia province
• References: Pajhwok, TOLO News, US forces Afghanistan via email, Office of the Afghan President's website

Residents, local officials and the Taliban have claimed an Afghan Air Force strike killed civilians in Logar province.

Provincial Council Chairman Hasibullah Stanikzai said four civilians were killed, including two children, one mosque was destroyed and some religious books damaged.

Residents reportedly blocked a highway to protest the deaths. Haji Gul, speaking on behalf of other protestors, told Pajhwok that several houses had also been destroyed. "We are staging this rally to ask the government to give the perpetrators severe punishment,” he said.

The airstrike targeted militants in Babos and Alowzai areas of Pul I Alam, the provincial capital. Stanikzai said the strike took place in the night, while Gul said the two areas were bombarded until 2pm.

Shamsahd Delawar, the Logar governor’s spokesperson, confirmed the strike and the casualties.

The Taliban's spokesperson wrote on twitter that 14 civilians had been killed and several others injured after "security and foreign forces" targeted civilian houses in Babos.

• Type of strike: Afghan Air Force strike
• Location: Babos and Alowzai areas, Pul I Alam, Logar province
• References: Pajhwok

A US strike killed four members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State in Nangarhar province's Achin district, according to a provincial government media office statement reported by Khaama Press.

The statement said the strike hit a "hideout" of the group, destroying several weapons and ammunition.

The day after the strike, Pajhwok posted a photo of damage reportedly caused by a drone strike on what it said was a shelter used by members of the group in Achin. It is not clear if this refers to the same strike.

The Bureau will include a strike in its database when it is reported by a named or unnamed US official, named Afghan officials, or anonymous sources from either country combined with one other kind of source, such as a local resident. This strike is included here as a possible US strike.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Bandar area, Achin district, Nangarhar province
• References: Khaama Press, Pajhwok, Xinhua

At least 19 fighters belonging to an unspecified group were killed and eight others injured during airstrikes in Farah province, according to the 207th Zafar Corps, which is part of the Afghan army.

The strikes targeted two compounds in the areas of Rabat Payin and Koh Surkhak in Farah's Parchaman district.

It was not clear whether Afghan or US forces carried out the strikes, so we have recorded it here as a possible US strike.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Parchaman district, Farah province
• References: Khaama Press

The 201st Silab Corps, which is part of the Afghan army, said a strike in Nangarhar province killed seven members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State.

It was reported as a "similar" strike to the one recorded in the entry below. This was reported as a US drone strike, although due to vague sourcing we cannot include in our database.

The date of this strike was not clear, but it was reported on July 4.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Deh Bala district, Nangarhar province
• References: Khaama Press

The 201st Silab Corps, which is part of the Afghan army, said a strike in Kunar province killed at least two members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State and a Taliban insurgent.

The strike was carried out by a drone, according to the 201st Silab Corps. The US is the only country known to flying armed drones in Afghanistan.

The Bureau will include a strike in its database when it is reported by a named or unnamed US official, named Afghan officials, or anonymous sources from either country combined with one other kind of source, such as a local resident. This strike is included here as a possible US strike.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Pech Dara, Kunar Province
• References: Khaama Press

Police Spokesperson Farid Dehqan said that Mullah Yasir, described as a senior PakistanI Taliban (TTP) commander, was killed in a drone strike in Kunar province's Shultan district.

The reporting was confusing, with Pajhwok mentioning the reports of another TTP leader killed in the same district on the same day (see entry below). It could be the identity of the commander killed has become confused. That strike was reported to have hit a house so it is possible Yasir was present.

Dehqan also reported a Yaseen, described as a member of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State, was killed in another district by a US drone.

There is a lack of clear information in the reporting. We will record these strikes here as a possible strikes.

• Type of strike: Possible US strike
• Location: Kunar province
• References: Pajhowk