Afghanistan: Reported US covert actions 2019
The timeline below contains information on all US air attacks on Afghanistan recorded by the Bureau in 2019. 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 | 4251 |
| Total reported killed | 58-2954 |
| Civilian reported killed | 22-249 |
| Children reported killed | 11-47 |
| Total reported injured | 35-614 |
| Total Close Air Support (CAS) sorties with at least one weapon release | 1548 |
| Total CAS sorties | 5659 |
| Total weapons released | 4483 |
Strikes Page 12
An airstrike in Faryab province killed 28 Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
The 209th Shaheen Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the strike was carried out in the Bulchiragh district around 5pm local time.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
US Forces-Afghanistan did not report any strikes in Faryab on this day in their monthly release of strike data.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Bulchiragh district, Faryab province
- Reference: Khaama Press
One strike hit Kandahar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Zabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Three strikes hit Uruzgan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit Paktia province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Paktia around this time. The Coalition forces conducted an airstrike in the province that killed two Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported.
The 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the strike was carried out in the Sahak area of the Zurmat district and also destroyed a VBIED.
Khaama Press are likely referring to the NATO coalition in which the US are the only known country to be flying strike missions.
Khaama Press had not explicitly given a date for this strike, but they reported on it the day after the confirmed US strike.
Without further locational detail from US Forces, we cannot be sure that this refers to one of the confirmed US strikes in Paktia on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktia province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two strikes hit Herat province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Herat province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Four strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Three civilians were killed in an airstrike in Badghis province, New York Times reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
A house was reportedly hit in the Du Juee area of Bala Murghab District and killed the three civilians. No Taliban were present when the strike was carried out, but they do control the area, NYT added.
We will reach out to Resolute Support to clarify their involvement in this incident and update this post when any more information comes to light.
US Forces-Afghanistan did not report any strikes in Badghis on this day in their monthly release of strike data.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Du Juee area, Bala Murghab district, Badghis province
- Reference: New York Times Afghan War Casualty Report
Two strikes hit Uruzgan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Kunduz province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kunduz province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit Kandahar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Four strikes hit Herat province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Herat province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Helmand on this day. An airstrike in Helmand province killed 20 Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was unclear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strikes were carried out in the Kajaki district.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Without further locational detail from US Forces, we cannot be sure that this refers to one of the confirmed US strikes in Helmand on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
One strike hit Ghazni province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
A member of Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State who had travelled from Kerala to join the group, was killed in a US drone strike somewhere in Afghanistan, Indian news site Dispatch reported.
Muhhamad Muhasin reportedly died alongside Huzaifa-al-Bakistani, a key commander of the Islamic State in the Khorosan province of Afghanistan.
The news of Muhammad Muhasin’s death was communicated to his family in Kerala via a WhatsApp message from an unidentified number from Afghanistan. The text in the Malayalam language said, “Your brother was seeking martyrdom. Allah has fulfilled his wish as per his aspiration. He was martyred 10 days ago in a drone attack by the American forces”.
It is not clear where in Afghanistan the US drone strike is meant to have taken place.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Unknown
- Reference: The Dispatch
Three strikes hit Zabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Zabul on this day. An airstrike in the province killed one Taliban fighter, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to their "informed military sources" the strikes were carried out in the Shah Joy district over the last 24 hours. We are therefore unsure whether the strike was conducted on July 16 or 17.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Without further locational detail from US Forces, we cannot be sure that this refers to one of three confirmed US strikes in Zabul on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
One strike hit Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit Logar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Logar around this time. A US airstrike in the province killed three Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported.
It is unclear where Khaama Press received this information, but their article says that it was conducted in the Azra district.
Khaama Press had not explicitly given a date for this strike, but they reported on it the day after the confirmed US strikes.
Without further locational detail from US Forces, we cannot be sure that this refers to one of the confirmed US strikes in Logar on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Five strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Helmand on this day.
Airstrikes in the province killed five Taliban fighters and wounded another, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to their "informed military sources" the strikes were carried out in the Kajaki district over the last 24 hours. We are therefore unsure whether the strike was conducted on July 16 or 17.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Without further locational detail from US forces, we cannot be sure that this incident refers to the confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
One strike hit Ghazni province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Farah province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Farah province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit Balkh province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Balkh province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Three strikes hit Baghlan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Baghlan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Badghis province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Badghis around this time. Two Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike in Badghis province, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was conducted in the Ab e Kamari district.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Khaama Press had not explicitly given a date for this strike, but they reported on it the day after the confirmed US strike.
Without further locational detail from US Forces, we cannot be sure that this refers to the confirmed US strike in Badghis on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Badghis province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two strikes hit Zabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Wardak province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Wardak around this time. An airstrike in the province killed one Taliban fighter, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to their "informed military sources" the strike was carried out in the Chak e Wardak district over the last 24 hours. We are therefore unsure whether the strike was conducted on July 16 or 17.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Without further locational detail from US Forces we cannot be sure which or either of the Khaama Press reports are referring to the same incident as the confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Wardak province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two strikes hit Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Nangarhar around this time. An airstrike in the province destroyed a Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), Khaama Press reported - though it is unclear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to their "informed military sources" the strikes were carried out in the Khogyani district over the last 24 hours. We are therefore unsure whether the strike was conducted on July 16 or 17.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Without further locational detail from US Forces, we cannot be sure that this incident refers to one of the confirmed US strikes in Nangarhar on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
One strike hit Logar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit Kandahar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Five strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Helmand on this day. Airstrikes in two districts across Helmand province killed at least five Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Their "informed military officials" reportedly said that one strike in Musa Qala killed two Taliban fighters and another in Sangin killed three.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Khaama Press had not explicitly given a date for this strike so we recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Three strikes hit Baghlan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Baghlan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit Badghis province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Badghis province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Four strikes hit Uruzgan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Parwan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Parwan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two children were killed when a US drone targeted a gathering of the Taliban in Logar province, the New York Times reported.
The strike, which hit the Kamal Khail area of Pul e Alam, the provincial capital, killed 22 Taliban fighters and the two children who were playing in the area. Five other Taliban fighters were also reportedly injured.
Khaama Press also reported on this strike, though there was no reference to civilian harm. The 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the US conducted the strikes in the evening of July 15.
The strikes were said to have killed Taliban leaders including Taliban’s Red Unit Commander Qudrat; the brother of shadow governor of Taliban; shadow district chief of Taliban for Mohammad Agha and the Taliban military commission chief for Khusi.
We are currently unable to record this incident in our database of confirmed US strikes due to vague sourcing. We will reach out to Resolute Support for their civilian harm assessment and update this post when any new information comes to light.
Three strikes hit Logar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, New York Times Afghan War Casualty Report, Khaama Press
One strike hit Kabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Three strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Helmand on this day. An airstrike in the province killed four Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was conducted in Sangin district.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Khaama Press had not explicitly given a date for this strike so we recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
Without further locational detail from US Forces, we cannot be sure that this refers to one of three confirmed US strikes in Helmand on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two strikes hit Ghazni province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Ghazni on this day. Khaama Press reported that Afghan and US forces conducted a series of airstrikes in Ghazni that killed 15 Taliban fighters.
The 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the Afghan and US forces conducted the strikes in the Tangi area of Andar district.
The strikes also reportedly wounded three other Taliban and destroyed a vehicle.
Khaama Press had not explicitly given a date for this strike so we recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
Without further locational detail from US Forces, we cannot be sure that this incident refers to one of the confirmed US strikes in Ghazni on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
US forces carried out an airstrike in Wardak province that killed 25 Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported.
The 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the strikes were conducted in the Jaghatoo district.
Khaama Press did explicitly give a date for this strike so we have recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
We are currently unable to record this incident in our database of confirmed US strikes due to vague sourcing.
US Forces-Afghanistan did not report any strikes in Wardak on this day in their monthly release of strike data.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Khogyani district, Nangarhar province
- Reference: Khaama Press
Eight strikes hit Uruzgan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit Paktia province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Paktia around this time. US airstrikes in Paktia province killed 32 Taliban fighters and wounded ten others, Khaama Press reported.
The 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the US conducted the strikes in the Sayyid Karam district.
Khaama Press had not explicitly given a date for this strike so we recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
A second Khaama Press report the following day stated that a strike in the Gardez district also killed two Taliban fighters - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Without further locational detail from US Forces we cannot be sure which or either of the Khaama Press reports are referring to the same incident as the confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktia province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, Khaama Press
Three strikes hit Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Nangarhar around this time. An airstrike in the province killed one member of Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was conducted in Khogyani district.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Khaama Press had not explicitly given a date for this strike, but they reported on it the day after the confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
One strike hit Logar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Three strikes hit Kunduz province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kunduz province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Kandahar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Kandahar around this time. An airstrike in the province killed one Taliban fighter, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was conducted in Ghorak district.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Khaama Press had not explicitly given a date for this strike, but they reported on it the day after the confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Three strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Three strikes hit Farah province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Farah province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Ground operation link
14 July 2019
- 8-14 reported killed
- 0-6 civilians reported killed, including children
A joint raid by Afghan and US special operation forces killed six civilians, including several children in Uruzgan province, New York Times reported.
The Taliban took shelter in a home while fighting the security forces. Local authorities claimed that eight Taliban fighters were killed in the clashes. Several children and the owner of the house in which the Taliban took shelter were among the six killed.
- Type of strike: Ground operation
- Location: Khalij area, Gizab District, Uruzgan province
- Reference: NYT Afghan War Casualty Report
One strike hit Uruzgan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
