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 9
Four strikes destroyed two fighting positions, a cave and a weapons cache in Laghman province, according to US data.
For more information on the release of this data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Laghman province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Khost province destroyed an IED, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of this data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Khost province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Two strikes in Kapisa province on this day destroyed a fighting position, according to US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of this data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kapisa province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Three strikes in Helmand province destroyed three motorcycles and a building, US Forces - Afghanistan has said.
For more information on the release of the above data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Two strikes in Ghor province destroyed a tactical unit, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of this data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghor province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Paktia destroyed a tactical unit, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
See here, for more information on the release of this data.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktia province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Three civilians were killed in a US airstrike in Kunar, the American military admitted in the Department of Defense annual report on civilian casualties.
Seven strikes hit Kunar province on this day, according to US data. They destroyed two buildings, two rocket systems, a weapons cache and a fighting position.
No further information is currently known.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Kunar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release, DoD annual report on civilian casualties
Four strikes in Khost province destroyed two buildings and a tactical unit, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of this data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Khost province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
In Helmand province, two strikes destroyed three fighting positions, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Baghlan province destroyed a tactical unit, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of this data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Baghlan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Six strikes hit Nangarhar on this day destroying two buildings and two vehicles, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
Khaama Press had reported that an air strike killed the Taliban shadow district chief of Hesarak in Nangarhar. The chief, who was named as Abdul Jabar, was killed in a drone strike as he travelled in a vehicle along with six others, according to the statement.
The sourcing was however too vague to include it as a confirmed strike in our database. We have added the six strikes into our database, adding a casualty range to reflect the possibility the strike Khaama Press reported was one of those announced in the US data.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Hesarak district, Nangarhar province
- References: Khaama Press, US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Two strikes in Nimroz destroyed two vehicles on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of this data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nimroz province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Four buildings were destroyed in four strikes in Nangarhar province, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of this data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Laghman province destroyed a tactical unit, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan. There was no additional information.
See here, for more information on the data.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Laghman province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A cave was destroyed in two strikes in Kunar province, according to US report.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Kunar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Kapisa province on this day destroyed a cave and a weapons cache, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
See here, for more information on the data.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kapisa province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Two strikes in Kabul province destroyed a tactical unit, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Two strikes in Helmand province destroyed a fighting position, according to US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Four buildings and a fighting unit were destroyed in six strikes in Nangarhar province, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Logar province destroyed a tactical unit, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of this data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Laghman on this day denied the enemy terrain, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan
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 strikes
- Location: Laghman province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Three strikes in Helmand province destroyed what was described as a staging area, US Forces - Afghanistan has said.
For more information on the release of the above data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Ghazni province disrupted enemy activity, according to US data.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Uruzgan province destroyed a vehicle, according to US data.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Two communication towers were destroyed in two strikes in Paktia province, according to US data.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktia province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A communications tower was destroyed in two strikes in Logar province, according to US data.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Four strikes in Laghman province destroyed four fighting positions and a weapons cache, according to US data.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Laghman province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Three strikes in Helmand province on this day destroyed two buildings and a tactical unit, according to US Forces - Afghanistan data. No additional details were given.
See here for more information on the release of this data.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
The US carried two strikes in Nangarhar province on this day suppressing enemy action, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
The news outlet of Islamic State had released a video showing children being pulled from rubble after what it says were coalition strikes in Afghanistan, BBC Media Monitoring reported.
The video was released via IS channels on the Telegram messaging app on 19 October. It shows the aftermath of an alleged bombing on a village on October 17 in Nangarhar's Deh Bala district. According to BBC Monitoring, it shows several dead children being pulled from rubble.
The reports of civilian casualties from a strike in Nangarhar on this day do not appear to feature in local reporting. Such information may not be available if the village is controlled by Afghanistan's branch of Islamic State.
As we know there were US strikes in the province on this day, we will include a casualty range to reflect the possibility it killed the victims alleged by Islamic State sources.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Qala’ village, Deh Bala district, Nangarhar Province
- References: Telegram messaging service via BBC Media Monitoring
A strike in Paktika destroyed a building and two tactical units, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
See here, for more information on the release of this data.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktika province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Ten strikes hit Nangarhar on this day, according to US data.
The strikes destroyed two fighting positions, three buildings, two tactical units and a vehicle.
No additional details were provided.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Two strikes in Logar province on this day destroyed a rocket and denied the enemy terrain, according to US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A communications tower was destroyed in a strike in Kandahar province, according to US data.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Three strikes destroyed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and one tactical unit in Wardak province, according to US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Wardak province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A communications tower was destroyed in a strike in Uruzgan province, according to US data.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Three strikes destroyed three vehicles, two fighting positions, one motorcycle and one tactical unit in Paktika province, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
See here, for more information on the release of this data.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktika province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Nuristan province on this day "disrupted enemy", according to US data. No further details were given.
See here, for more information on the release of this data.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nuristan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Four strikes in Laghman province destroyed six fighting positions, one heavy weapon system and one tactical unit, according to US data.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Laghman province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Kandahar province destroyed a communications tower on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Five strikes destroyed four vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, a building and a tactical unit in Helmand province on this day, according to US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Three strikes hit Ghazni on this day, destroying a vehicle and an anti-aircraft weapon, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
We already had a possible strike in our database. The 203rd Thunder Corps (part of the Afghan army) had said at least 13 militants were killed in "foreign forces" strikes in Ghazni province. The strikes targeted a mini truck and an armored personnel carrier, they said.
The date of the reported strikes was not clear, but Khaama Press covered it on October 15. However the sourcing was too vague to include this strike in our database of confirmed US strikes at the time.
We have now included a casualty range in this entry in our database to reflect the possibility the reporting referred to one of the strikes included in the US data.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Andar district, Ghazni province
- References: Khaama Press, US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Parwan province denied the enemy terrain, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Parwan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Nangarhar province destroyed a tactical unit, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Laghman province destroyed a fighting position, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Laghman province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Kunduz province disrupted enemy activity, according to US data.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kunduz province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Three strikes destroyed one vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and one cave in Ghazni province, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Eight strikes destroyed seven buildings, one tactical unit and one fighting position in Faryab province.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Faryab province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Kandahar province destroyed three motorcycles and a tactical unit, according to US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A strike in Wardak province destroyed a tactical unit, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Wardak province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
In Uruzgan Province, two strikes destroyed a tactical unit and a improvised explosive device, according to US data.
For more information on the release of data, see here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strikes
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
