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 18
Seven Taliban insurgents were killed in a strike by the Afghan Air Force, Sarhadi Zwak, the provincial governor’s spokesperson, told Pajhwok News.
However, there appears to be some confusion when it comes to the strikes location. While the news report says it occurred in Nangarhar, its title refers to operations in Laghman province. It also says the strike hit Alingar district in Nangarhar, but that district is in Laghman. Zwak is the spokesperson for Laghman province's governor.
The group's commander, named as Zabihullah, was killed, he said.
- Type of strike: AAF strike
- Location: Laghman province
- References: Pajhwok
At least five fighters belonging to an unspecified militant group were killed and another six were injured in Afghan air strikes in Faryab province, Ghulam Hazrat Karimi, a press officer for a military division, told Xinhua.
- Type of strike: AAF strike
- Location: Pashton Kot district, Faryab province
- References: Xinhua
A US drone strike hit a Pakistan Taliban (TTP) facility in Afghanistan's Kunar province killing an estimated 21 insurgents, including the son of the TTP head, Pakistan intelligence officials and Taliban sources have said.
The son's death was later confirmed in a TTP statement. It reportedly identified him as 17-year-old Abdullah. The statement said the strike hit a religious school, killing 20 other students and teachers. The students' ages were not specified.
Other reports described the facility struck as a training camp for would be suicide bombers, with The Express Tribune reporting those killed were on their final day of training. Pakistan intelligence officials say it was hit during a visit from senior TTP figures prior to the fighters being sent to Pakistan.
The Bureau reached out to the US for comment following news of the incident, but a Nato spokesperson said he could not confirm or deny the incident, stating he did "not have any information on the operation".
Casualty figures differed - Reuters reported other TTP sources saying a dozen members of their group has been killed, while the Afghan defence ministry said 15 had died. Most sources appeared to say 21 people were killed.
Mullah Fazlullah or Fazlullah Khorasani, the TTP chief who is believed to be hiding in Afghanisan, reportedly frequented the site. He is thought not to have been killed, with officials saying he was not present and Taliban sources saying he was but had not been killed. It was his son who is believed to have been killed.
The intelligence officials also said the strike killed Qari Yaseen, described as a "master trainer of suicide bombers", and Gul Mohammad, the group's leader in Bajaur area. The Pentagon and TTP confirmed the death of a Qari Yasin in a US strike in March 2017. It is not clear if this is the same person.
Two US drone strikes were reported by Khaama Press based on information from the 201st Silab Corps, which is part of the Afghan army.
However we cannot add either of these to are database as yet because we only include strikes from named Afghan sources.
One strike reportedly hit Nangarhar's Achin and killed two members of the country's branch of Islamic State. The other took place in Kunar province's Watapur district, allegedly killing at least a further two members of the group.
- Type of strike: Possible US strikes
- Location: Nangarhar and Kunar provinces
- References: Khaama Press
Seven members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State were killed in Afghan air strikes in Nangarhar's Achin district, the provincial governor has said.
The strikes were carried out in the afternoon and destroyed a weapon's cache, the governor said.
- Type of strike: AAF trike
- Location: Achin district, Nangarhar province
- References: Xinhua
Thirteen members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State were killed in strikes in Jawzjan province, but there was some confusion in the reporting surrounding the incident.
Army Spokesperson Nasratullah Jamshidi told Xinhua the strikes were carried out by Afghan forces. "Acting upon intelligence report, the government forces' war planes struck the hideout of IS commander Qari Hekmatullah in Chakan area of Darzab district yesterday afternoon [March 3], killing 13 rebels on the spot," Jamshidi said.
Colonel Abdul Hafeez Khashi, the deputy police chief, told Pajhwok that Nato strikes targeted the group's hideouts in Chagana village of Darzab district at around 0200 local time.
The discrepancies in the reporting could indicate they are two separate strikes, however both officials say the strike they are referring to killed 13 members of Islamic State, two of which were foreign nationals.
Two US drone strikes were reported by Khaama Press based on information from the 201st Silab Corps, which is part of the Afghan army.
However we cannot add either of these to our database as yet because we only include strikes from named Afghan sources.
The first reportedly hit Nangarhar's Achin dsitrict and killed four members of Islamic State. The second was said to have taken place in Kapisa's Tagab district and killed three members of the group, including one of their commanders.
It was not clear when the strikes occurred, but they were reported on March 1.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Nangarhar and Kapisa provinces
- References: Khaama Press
A US strike killed three members of a militant group, the 201st Silab Corps, which is part of the Afghan Army, has said. It did not specify which group they belonged to.
It also said three further fighters were injured, including a local commander.
The Bureau includes only strikes reported by named Afghan sources, or named and unnamed US sources, in its spreadsheet. This means we cannot add this particular strike to our database.
A date for the strike was not given, but Khaama Press reported it on February 26.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Noor Lam Sahib valley, Alingar district, Laghman province
- References: Khaama Press
Two civilians were injured in a US airstrike in Balkh 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 information is currently known.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Pushtrod district, Farah province
- References: DoD annual report on civilian casualties
An air strike carried out by Afghan forces in the evening hit a Taliban vehicle in Paktika province and killed three members of the group, according to the Afghan Ministry of Interior.
No civilians were killed, according to the ministry.
- Type of strike: AAF strike
- Location: Shoranki area, Gomal district, Paktika province
- References: Afghan Ministry of Interior press release
At least three members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State have been killed in US drone strikes in Kunar province, according to the 201st Silab Corps, which is part of the Afghan army. Khaama Press reported their statement.
A local leader of the group was allegedly killed. He was identified as Mohib, described as the son of Abdul Nabi.
The Bureau includes only strikes reported by named Afghan sources, or named and unnamed US sources, in its spreadsheet. This means we cannot add this particular strike to our database.
It was not clear when the strike was carried out, but it was reported on February 24.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Manogi district, Kunar province
- References: Khaama Press
Six Taliban fighters were killed and seven others injured in a strike in the capital of Sar I Pul province, according to Mohammad Zahir Wahdat, the provincial governor.
Two local Taliban commanders were among the dead, he said, identifying them as Mullah Ismail, also known as Sangaryar, and Qari Samiullah, also known as Mahaz. A number of vehicles and weaponry were destroyed in the attack, the governor added.
Following the strike, a kidnapped Afghan army commando was reportedly rescued.
It was not clear whether Afghan or US forces carried out the strike. It is recorded here as a possible US strike to reflect the ambiguity.
The date of the strike was also not clear, but it was reported on February 23.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Nimdan area, Sar I Pul city, Sar I Pul province
- References: Pajhwok
A US strike killed a TTP deputy commander and Al Qaeda facilitator named Rehan in Paktika province's Bermal district, according to Nato forces. The strike was shown in a video on DVIDS, released by NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan. It showed a vehicle being hit.
Text accompanying the video said Rehan is the second significant TTP deputy commander killed in Paktika this year. The first is Sanja Meshoud, who it said was killed in a strike on January 27. This strike was not in our database but has now been added.
"As TTP deputy commanders, Rehan and Meshoud yielded influence within Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda provides funding to the TTP. The TTP, in turn, facilitate Al Qaeda travel and operations in the region. The removal of Rehan and Meshoud degrades Al Qaeda’s ability to fund and direct TTP and other violent extremists throughout Paktika and the surrounding areas," the text said.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Bermal district, Paktika province
- References: DVIDS
Three members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State were killed and one other wounded in a US drone strike in Nangarhar province, according to the 201st Silab Corps, which is part of the Afghan Army.
The Bureau includes only strikes reported by named Afghan sources, or named and unnamed US sources, in its spreadsheet. This means we cannot add this particular strike to our database.
A date for the strike was not given, but Khaama Press reported it on February 22.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Langari area, Deh Bala district, Nangarhar province
- References: Khaama Press
A tweet from the Afghan Ministry of Defence reportedly said 11 members of Islamic State were killed in an Afghan air strike in Nangarhar province, according to Xinhua.
- Type of strike: AAF strike
- Location: Achin district, Nangarhar province
- References: Xinhua
One civilian was killed in a US ground operation in Laghman 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: Laghman province
- References: DoD annual report on civilian casualties
An air strike destroyed a drug lab in Farah province's Bakwa district, but the reporting differed when it came to the casualty toll and whether the US or Afghan forces carried out the strike.
TOLO News, citing the Afghan Ministry of Defence, said the strike was carried out by Afghan forces. At least three insurgents were killed and a further five injured. Khaama Press said that eight insurgents were killed in what it reported as a US strike. It's source was police officials in the province.
It was not clear when the strike took place, but both news sites reported it on February 17.
We are unable to include this in our database of confirmed US strikes due to the above. We will record it here as a possible US strike.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Bakwa district, Farah province
- References: Khaama Press, TOLO News
A US drone strike in Nangarhar province hit a "hideout" of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State and killed one member of the group, reported Khaama Press. The source of this information was the 201st Silab Corps, which is part of the Afghan army.
The Bureau includes only strikes reported by named Afghan sources, or named and unnamed US sources, in its spreadsheet. This means we cannot add this particular strike to our database. It will be recorded here as a possible strike. We update this post when or if more information comes to light.
It was not clear when the strike took place, although it was reported on February 17.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Mamand area, Achin district, Nangarhar province
- References: Khaama Press
One civilian was killed in a US airstrike in Helmand 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: Helmand province
- References: DoD annual report on civilian casualties
Seven members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State were killed in a US drone strike in Kunar province, according to Mohammad Zaman Ayyar, the provincial deputy police chief.
He told Pajhwok News that a "notorious" commander was among those killed in the attack, which he said occurred late on February 16.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Degal area, Chapa Dara district, Kunar province
- References: Pajhwok
One civilian was killed and another injured in a US airstrike in Helmand 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: Helmand province
- References: DoD annual report on civilian casualties
Air strikes carried out by Afghan forces have killed at least 35 insurgents in Kandahar province, according to an Afghan Ministry of Defence statement reported by TOLO News.
“Thirty five insurgents were killed, seven vehicles and some weapons and ammunitions were destroyed in ANA (Afghan army) air strikes in Nesh district of Kandahar,” it said.
The statement, reported on February 15, said the strikes had happened in the past 24 hours.
- Type of strike: AAF strike
- Location: Nesh district, Kandahar province
- References: TOLO News
Khaama Press reported that a local Taliban leader was killed in a US strike in strike in Uruzgan province based on accounts from unnamed local officials.
The strike reportedly killed a further five Taliban members and wounded a further four. The leader was identified as Mullah Ghazi.
A local leader of the Taliban group was killed in an airstrike conducted by the US forces in southen Uruzgan province of Afghanistan.
- Type of strike: AAF strike
- Location: Garam Aab area, outskirts of Tarin Kot city, Uruzgan province
- References: Khaama Press
The Afghan Ministry of Defence announced a strike in Takhar province, according to TOLO News.
According to the ministry, five insurgents were killed, including a Taliban commander known as Mullah Mir Wali. Three others were reportedly wounded. Two have been identified as Qari Sefat and Mawolavi Aram.
The date of the strike was not clear, but it was reported on February 11.
- Type of strike: AAF strike
- Location: Durqad district, Takhar province.
- References: TOLO News
The Afghan Ministry of Defence announced a strike in Uruzgan province, according to TOLO News.
The strike reportedly hit insurgent "hideouts" in an area on the outskirts of Tarin Kot city, the provincial capital. Four insurgents are believe to have been killed.
A weapons cache was also destroyed, it said.
The date of the strike was not clear, but it was reported on February 11.
- Type of strike: AAF strike
- Location: Outskirts of Tarin Kot city, Uruzgan province
- References: TOLO News
Two members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State were killed in a drone strikes in Nangarhar province, according to a provincial government statement reported by Xinhua.
The Bureau includes only strikes reported by named Afghan sources, or named and unnamed US sources, in its spreadsheet. This means we cannot add this particular strike to our database. It will be recorded here as a possible strike. We update this post when or if more information comes to light.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Bandaar area, Achin district, Nangarhar province
- References: Xinhua
Two civilians were killed in a US airstrike in Jawzjan 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: Jawzjan province
- References: DoD annual report on civilian casualties
Residents and a local council head say an Afghan Air Force strike killed at least seven members of a single family in Khost province.
"Five brothers have been martyred in the airstrike, another is my nephew. He was living with me. And another is my cousin," Alijan Koshi, member of the family, told Afghanistan Times.
"Tell us who we are and to which country we belong? I swear to God that the seven people who have been martyred were not Taliban. They were ordinary people. They went there to visit their friends and families, but someone came and reported their presence for some dollars," said Haji Gulmarjan Faroodqi, head of the Kochi tribe's council in Khost.
A security official from the provincial police headquarters confirmed operations in the area, but did not confirm civilian casualties. He said a team had been sent to investigate the incident.
On February 7, a top US commanders said that the Afghan Air Force are now conducting more missions than US forces.
It is not clear when the strike took place, although it was reported first reported on February 8.
- Type of strike: AAF strike
- Location: Bati Tana village, Ali Sher district, Khost province
- References: Afghanistan Times, Pajhwok
The Pakistan Taliban (TTP) have confirmed the death of their deputy commander in a drone strike. He also is believed to the head of the Mehsud faction that broke away from the group and later rejoined.
The commander, Khan Sayed, was also known as Khalid Sajna or Khalid Mehsud. He was wanted by Pakistan for various incidents, including masterminding a jail break in 2012 during which nearly 400 inmates escaped.
This is not the first time Sayed has been reported dead. Unnamed Pakistan officials said he was killed in a drone strike in November 2015, but a Taliban spokesperson denied this at the time. The latest reports of his death are seen as more reliable as the TTP has appointed another commander, Mufti Noor Wali, to replace him.
According to a BBC analyst, Sayed is the most important militant leader to have been killed since the August 2016 killing of Hafiz Saeed Khan, leader of Islamic State in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The strike hit close to the Afghan-Pakistan border, but it was unclear on what side it fell. Pakistan intelligence officials have said that the commander was killed along with five security guards as they entered Pakistan territory from the Afghan side, which could explain the confusion.
Anadolu Agency and Express Tribune say the strike took place in Margha area in Paktika province's Barmal district, which is close to the border with Pakistan's North Waziristan but in Afghanistan. The News placed it in Afghanistan's Gorek area. Dawn reported that a political administration official said two missiles were fired at the compound in the Gorwek area, which it seemed to place in North Waziristan. A Taliban spokesperson also placed the strike there.
The details became further confused in March when the US military claimed a Sajna Meshoud, described as a TTP deputy commander, was killed in Paktika province's Bermal district on January 27. This is in Afghanistan, but falls close to the border with Pakistan. One report suggested this was the same commander.
Two sources told the Express Tribune that Sanja was killed along with his nephew and two guards. A close aide told Anadolu that two other commanders and the driver died when their car was attacked. Daily Pakistan reports two Haqqani Network members were also killed. Three Haqqani network members were killed and several others were reportedly wounded, according to The News. Geo TV put the death toll at two.
Due to the lack of clarity over on what side of the border the strike hit, we have been unable to include this strike in either the Afghanistan or Pakistan database. We have included it in both country timelines as a possible strike.
The date of the strikes was also not clear, with reporting suggesting it took place on either February 6, 7 or 8.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Pakistan-Afghan border
- References: The Express Tribune, The News, Daily Pakistan, Anadolu Agency, Dawn, Geo TV, FDD's Long War Journal, The New York Times, BBC, DVIDS, FDD's Long War Journal
At least fourteen members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State were killed in strikes in Jawzjan province, according to the Afghan Army's 209th Shaheen Corps, as reported by Khaama Press.
Two of the dead were allegedly Uzbekistan nationals.
The strikes were said to have hit hideouts in Sardara, Maktab Imam Bukhtari, Bibi Maryam, Aqsai and Maimana Qeshlaq areas of Darzab district.
It was not clear whether these strikes were carried out by Afghan or US forces.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Darzab district, Jawzjan province
- References: Khaama Press
Harif Noori, the government spokesperson for Ghazni province, told Xinhua that four children had been killed in an air strike, although he did not say whether the strike was carried out by Afghan or US forces.
We have recorded it here as a possible US strike. We have also reached out to Resolute Support asking whether they carried out military operations in the area on that date. While they did not say, a spokesperson said they were investigating the allegation and would respond asap. As of May 9, there has not been a response. We have chased this.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Dih Yak district, Ghazni province
- References: Xinhua
AFG443C link
7 February 2018
Reports surfaced of a possible other strike, but there was a lack of clarity over many of the details.
According to Reuters, four Pakistani intelligence officials and three Taliban commanders said that two separate US strikes hit on February 7. The first was the one listed in the entry below, which they said took place in Afghanistan's Paktika province, while the three Taliban commanders said the second targeted a compound in Gurwek town in Pakistan's North Waziristan. Reuters points put that the two areas are adjacent and so the officials and commanders could in-fact be talking about the same strike.
Meanwhile, AP also reported two strikes, but said these occurred on February 8. One hit Gurwek, the town mentioned by Reuters, killing seven fighters. The other strike hit a vehicle killing four insurgents in Barmal distict, according to a local police chief, but they placed this in Paktia province. Barmal appears to be in Paktika, but the two provinces are neighbouring.
The lack of clarity over these strikes means we cannot include them in our databases. We have recored them as possible strikes in both our Afghan and Pakistan timelines.
AFG443 link
4 February 2018
On February 6, the US announced a series of strikes in the northern province of Badakhshan. More details on this announcement can be found in the entry below.
In a press briefing following the strikes, Air Force Maj. Gen. James B. Hecker, the commander of NATO Air Command-Afghanistan, introduced videos of two of these.
The first one is detailed below. This entry records the strike shown in the second video. Like the first, it hit a Taliban training camp in Badakhshan on February 4. A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortres was also used.
Screen shot of video showing target before strike
Target after strike
- Type of strike: US air strike
- Location: Badakhshan
- References: Press briefing via DVIDs
AFG442 link
4 February 2018
On February 6, the US announced a series of strikes in the northern province of Badakhshan.
"Over the past 96 hours, US forces conducted air operations to strike Taliban training facilities in Badakhshan province, preventing the planning and rehearsal of terrorist acts near the border with China and Tajikistan by such organizations as the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and others," a Resolute Support press release read.
"The strikes also destroyed stolen Afghan National Army vehicles that were in the process of being converted to vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices," it added.
The Taliban and ETIM were commingled on the facilities that were bombed, and often work together, US Air Force Brig. Gen. Lance R. Bunch told the Washington Post. “Anybody that is an enemy of Afghanistan, we’re going to target them,” he said. “We’ve got new authorities now that allow us to be able to . . . target the Taliban and the ETIM where they previously thought they were safe.”
During these strikes, a US Air Force B-52 Stratofortres dropped 24 precision guided munitions on Taliban fighting positions, which the press release said set a record for the most guided munitions ever dropped from a B-52.
In a press briefing following the strikes, a Nato commander showed videos of two of these. One of these hit a Taliban training camp in the province on February 4, carried out using a B-52.
Screen shot taken from video of target before strike
Target following strike
- Type of strike: US air strike
- Location: Badakhshan
- References: Press briefing via DVIDs,Washington Post
At least three members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State were killed by drone strikes in Nangarhar province's Haska Mena district, according to a statement from the local governor's office reported by Khaama Press.
The Bureau includes only strikes reported by named Afghan sources, or named and unnamed US sources, in its spreadsheet. Therefor, this strike cannot be added to our database as yet.
A date was not given for the strikes, but they were reported on February 3.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Haska Mena district, Nangarhar province
- References: Khaama Press
AFG441 link
2 February 2018
In a press briefing on February 7, a Resolute Support air commander showed a video of a B-52 strike on February 2. The commander said it hit a Taliban narcotics factory in Helmand.
No additional details were provided.
Screen shot from video of strike
- Type of strike: US air strike
- Location: Helmand
- References: Press briefing via DVIDs
Afghan Air Force strike link
31 January 2018
- 2-12 reported killed, including possible civilian casualties
Reports surfaced of civilians killed in a strike in Faryab district, but there is some conflict over who it killed.
The local police said the Afghan Air Force had targeted a house of a local commander, known as Ajmal, and that 12 fighters had been killed in the strike. A spokesperson for a division of the Afghan army said a Taliban base had been hit killing seven insurgents, but he said the commander's wife and a child were wounded in the attack.
Mualvi Ghulam Sakhi, prayer leader of a local mosque, denied any Taliban fighters had been killed. He said five civilians, including his daughter, three children and an elderly man were killed and over ten people injured.
Asadullah, described as an influential figure in the area, rejected claims the strike targeted Taliban members. He told Pajhwok that strike killed five civilians and wounded a further 14.
One resident told local media that two children had been killed. A further 13 had been injured, including four women, four children and five men. They had been family members of the Taliban commander, the resident said.
The head of a local hospital seemed to confirm the above casualty figures. Syed Qasem Parsa said two dead bodies were brought to the hospital. Thirteen people also arrived injured, including four women, four children and five men. He said some of the injured were in a critical condition.
- Type of strike: AAF strike
- Location: Shabakthtoe area, Khawaja Sabz Posh district, Faryab province
- References: Pajhwok, Frontier Post
A US strike targeting a Taliban meeting in Ghazni province killed 26 insurgents and wounded a further 20, according to Mohammad Arif Noori, the provincial governor’s spokesperson.
“The Taliban had gathered to plan how to prevent an ongoing Afghan forces operation in this province, but they came under an airstrike,” Noori said. It hit in the afternoon in Andar district's Attal area.
AP reported Noori saying two strikes hit a building where the Taliban meeting was gathered. Among the dead was a senior commander, known as Aqhani, who reportedly ran the insurgency in Ghazni province. To AP, Noori said 22 insurgents had been injured in the strike.
A Taliban spokesperson also confirmed the attack, but denied a meeting had been the target. “Taliban never organize major meetings in such a sensitive situation,” the spokesperson said.
Other sources were a little unclear over who was killed in the strike. Mohammad Shah, a resident of Andar district, told Khaama Press, “Civilians also exist in the area, but it is unclear who are killed in this incident.” Antiwar.com reported that the first strike hit a group of people, while the second launched an hour later and hit those tending to the casualties from the first. The sourcing for their information was unclear.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Attal area, Andar district, Ghazni province
- References: Khaama Press, Pajhwok, AP, Antiwar.com
A US strike on January 27 in Paktika province's Bermal district killed a TTP deputy commander named Sanja Meshoud, according to Nato forces.
His death surfaced in the text of a video released by NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan which showed a strike on another significant deputy commander the following month.
The Pakistan Taliban (TTP) confirmed the death of their deputy commander in a drone strike on February 8. The commander, Khan Sayed, was also known as Khalid Sajna or Khalid Mehsud. It is unclear whether this is the same person. The FDD's Long War Journal suggests so.
"As TTP deputy commanders, Rehan and Meshoud yielded influence within Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda provides funding to the TTP. The TTP, in turn, facilitate Al Qaeda travel and operations in the region. The removal of Rehan and Meshoud degrades Al Qaeda’s ability to fund and direct TTP and other violent extremists throughout Paktika and the surrounding areas," the text said.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Bermal district, Paktika province
- References: DVIDS, FDD's Long War Journal
A US drone strike killed a "key" member of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State, according to unnamed local security officials reported in Khaama Press.
The member killed was reportedly the father of one of the group's commanders. It seems the commander was called Abdul Khaliq. It is unclear what role the man killed may have carried out within Islamic State, as only his sons's role is reported.
The sourcing is too vague to count this strike in our database as yet. The date of the strike was not given, but it was reported on January 22.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Haska Mena district, Nangarhar province
- References: Khaama Press
Two strikes hit Taliban "hideouts" in Paktika province on the night of January 20, according to the police chief in the province.
“Foreign forces conducted an airstrike in Barmal district where thirteen Taliban members and a commander, Turabi, were killed and in another operation by foreign forces in Nika district fifty Taliban were killed,” Hashimi said.
Only the US, and the Afghans, are known to fly strike missions in the country.
This entry records the strike in Nika district.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nika District, Paktika province
- References: TOLO News
Two strikes hit Taliban "hideouts" in Paktika province on the night of January 20, according to the police chief in the province.
“Foreign forces conducted an airstrike in Barmal district where thirteen Taliban members and a commander, Turabi, were killed and in another operation by foreign forces in Nika district fifty Taliban were killed,” Hashimi said.
Only the US, and the Afghans, are known to fly strike missions in the country.
This entry records the strike in Barmal district.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Barmal District, Paktika province
- References: TOLO News
At least three fighters were killed and three others injured in a US drone strike, officials from the 201st Silab Corps, part of the Afghan army, told Khaama Press.
The airstrike reportedly hit a vehicle carrying armed fighters.
A date for the strikes was not given, although they were reported on January 17.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Dandu Nokar Khel area, Khogyani district, Nangarhar province
- References: Khaama Press
At least 17 fighters were killed and nearly a dozen injured in a strike carried out by Afghan forces in Badakhshan province, an intelligence official told Pajhwok.
The official said an A-29 aircraft carried out the attack on the hideouts of "foreign terrorists" using the house of someone identified as Almas Khan as their headquarters.
A member of the provincial council, Javid Mujadidi, however seemed to say the strike killed one individual and injured four others.
A date for the strike was not given but it was reported on January 16.
- Type of strike: AAF
- Location: Khastak area, Juram district, Badakhshan province
- References: Pajhwok
Two different US drone strikes in Nangarhar province killed an estimated 23 members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State, according to a statement from the 201st Silab Corps, a part of the Afghan army, as reported by Khaama Press. A separate Khaama Press article reported Taliban insurgents were also among the dead.
A strike in Mamand Daga area of Achin district killed 21, the statement said. Another in Marki area of Sherzad district reportedly killed two fighters, identified as Osman and Abba.
The Bureau includes only strikes reported by named Afghan sources, or named and unnamed US sources, in its spreadsheet. This has been included as a possible strike as a result of its sourcing.
The strike in Sherzad was reported to have taken place on January 15, but a date for the other strike was not given.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: Khaama Press
Members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State were killed in two separate drone strikes in Nangarhar province, according to a statement from the provincial police and the 201st Silab Corps, part of the Afghan National Army.
There was contradictory reporting on the strikes. Khaama Press reported the police saying a strike hit Achin district killing 14 fighters and a further strike in Haska Mina killed three others. TOLO News however reported the police statement said 14 died in in Haska Mina and three in Achin. It also reported the army statement saying one fighter died in Achin district, while eight died in Deh Bala district, which seems to be another name for Haska Mena.
A date was not given for the strikes, but they were reported by TOLO News and Khaama Press on January 14.
Due to the confusion in the reporting, we will not include this in our database as yet. If more information comes to light, we will update this post.
Type of strike: Possible US strike
Location: Nangarhar province
References: Khaama Press, TOLO News
Three members of Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State were killed in a drone strike in Nuristan province on the night of January 14, according to Sayed Momand, the province's government spokesperson.
The US is the only country known to be flying armed drones in Afghanistan.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Want Waigal district, Nuristan province
- References: Xinhua
Afghan sources told AFP that US forces launched a strike on an Afghan government militia following an insider attack in Nangarhar province.
The US soldiers were patrolling in Achin, a strong-hold of Islamic State, when there was a "shooting incident", according to Hakim Khan, a commander of the militia involved. US forces then conducted a strike on the group, he said.
A militia fighter who survived the attack and a local neighbourhood representative told AFP that the strike came after an "infiltrator" in the militia shot at the US troops.
In an earlier Khaama Press report, the Taliban said a member of their group infiltrated the "public uprising forces", a form of local defence forces. However, a security official reported that a clash broke out after a verbal incident and at least eight members of the group were killed.
Khan believes 13 men were killed. An AFP reporter saw at least eight fighters being buried.
Resolute Support have reportedly not confirmed carrying out a strike as yet, but did say there had been an "active ground engagement". A US soldier was injured but is in a stable condition, it said.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Achin district, Nangarhar province
- References: Khaama Press, AFP
The Afghan Air Force launched strikes against Islamic State targets in Kunar province in response to a large-scale attack repulsed earlier in the week, according to a statement from the 201st Silab Corps, part of the Afghan National Army.
Three members of the group were killed in the strikes and weapons were destroyed, according to the statement.
A date for the strikes was not given, but they were reported by Khaama Press on January 11.
- Type of strike: AAF strike
- Location: Suki district, Kunar province
- References: Khaama Press
The Afghan Ministry of Defence said strikes in Farah killed at least 21 fighters from an unspecified militant group, although it was not clear if Afghan or US forces had carried out the strikes.
The dead reportedly included seven nationals of Pakistan. Three vehicles and several weapons were destroyed.
It was not clear when they were carried out, but Khaama Press reported the strikes on January 10.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Khak e Safid district, Farah province
- References: Khaama Press
