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 13
Two strikes hit Parwan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Parwan on this day. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in the province killed four Taliban fighters - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was conducted in Siagird 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 report is referring to the confirmed US strike on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Parwan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
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 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
Two strikes hit Farah province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Farah on this day. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in the province had killed three Taliban fighters.
Their "informed military officials" reportedly said that the strike was conducted in Khak e Safayd 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 incident is referring to the confirmed US strike on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Farah province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Three 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
Three strikes hit Wardak province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Wardak around this time. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in the province killed two Taliban fighters - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was conducted in Sayyidabad 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 report is 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
One strike hit Takhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Takhar around this time. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in the province killed two Taliban fighters - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was conducted in Namak Ab 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 same incident as the confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Takhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Three strikes hit Herat province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Herat on this day. Khaama Press reported that airstrikes in the province killed five Taliban fighters - though it wasn't clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was conducted in Obeh 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 information on the confirmed strike from US forces we cannot be sure if this refers to one of the three confirmed strikes in Herat on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Herat province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two 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
One strike 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
One strike 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
An airstrike in Nangarhar 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 did explicitly give a date for this strike so we have recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
US Forces - Afghanistan did not report any strikes in Nangarhar on this day in their monthly release of strike data.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Khogyani district, Nangarhar province
- Reference: Khaama Press
Airstrikes in Logar province killed five Taliban fighters and injured one other, 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 Azrah 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 did explicitly give a date for this strike so we have recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
US Forces - Afghanistan did not report any strikes in Logar on this day in their monthly release of strike data.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Azrah district, Logar province
- Reference: Khaama Press
An airstrike destroyed a VBIED in Kunduz 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 Khanabad 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 did explicitly give a date for this strike so we have recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
US Forces - Afghanistan did not report any strikes in Kunduz on this day in their monthly release of data. However, given that the Khaama Press did not provide a date it's possible that this could be referring to the confirmed US strike the day before.
Without further locational detail from Resolute Support we cannot be sure if this strike was Afghan Air Force or whether it referred to the previous day's strike.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Khanabad district, Kunduz province
- Reference: Khaama Press
One strike hit Paktika 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: Paktika province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Kunduz province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Kunduz on this day. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in the province killed eight Taliban fighters - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Their "informed military sources" reportedly said that the strike was in the Imam Sahib district of the province.
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 they reported on it. Given this, it is also possible that if it was a US strike that it refers to the confirmed US strike in Kunduz the day before.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kunduz province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, 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
Five strikes hit Herat province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Herat on this day. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in Herat killed two Taliban fighters - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Their "informed military sources" reportedly said that the strike was in the Obeh district of the province.
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 they reported on it. Given this, it is possible that this Khaama Press report could be referring to the confirmed US strike in Herat the day before.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Herat province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
One strike 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
One strike 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 Wardak province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Wardak around this time. Khaama Press reported that airstrikes in the province killed six Taliban fighters - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Their "informed military sources" reportedly said that the strike was in the Nerkh district of the province.
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 strikes in Wardak.
Without further locational information on the confirmed strike from US forces we cannot be sure that this refers to the same incident.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Wardak province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
One strike hit Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Nangarhar around this time. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in the province killed two members of Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Their "informed military sources" reportedly said that the strike was in the Khogyani district of the province.
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 this confirmed US strike.
Without further locational information on the confirmed strike from US forces we cannot be sure that this refers to the same incident.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two 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
Three 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
One strike 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
One strike 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
One strike hit Ghazni province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Ghazni on this day.
An airstrike in Ghazni province killed one Taliban fighter, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Their "informed military sources" reportedly said that the strike was in the Andar district of the province in the last 24 hours. It is therefore unclear whether the strike happened on July 9 or 10, so we have recorded it as the date that Khaama Press reported on it.
A second Khaama Press report could also be referring to this confirmed US strike. Again in the Andar district, they reported that a Coalition airstrike killed three Taliban fighters.
The 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the strike was in the Andar district and carried out by Coalition forces.
It is likely that Khaama Press are referring to the NATO coalition in which the US are the only country known to be flying strike missions. However, we are unable to record this in our database of confirmed US strikes due to vague sourcing.
Khaama Press again did not explicitly give a date for this strike but they reported on the incident on July 11.
Without further locational information on the confirmed strike from US forces we cannot be sure which or either of these refers to the same incident.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, Khaama Press, Khaama Press
One strike hit Faryab 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: Faryab 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
Four 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 Kapisa province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Kapisa on this day. An airstrike in the province killed two Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Their "informed military sources" reportedly said that the strike was in the Nejrab district of the province in the last 24 hours. It is therefore unclear whether the strike happened on July 9 or 10, so we have recorded it as the date that Khaama Press reported on it.
Without further locational information on the confirmed US strike from US forces we cannot be sure that this is referring to the same incident.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kapisa province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, 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
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
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
Two strikes hit Faryab 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: Faryab province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Seven civilians were reportedly killed in an airstrike in Baghlan province, though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to the New York Times, ground forces called in air support after the Taliban attacked a military base in the Bala Dori area of Pul e Khumri. A house located three miles away was bombed killing seven members of the same family, including women and children, relatives on the ground told NYT.
Afghan officials confirmed the incident and civilian deaths, but made no reported reference as to whether it was a US or Afghan strike.
The strike, which was conducted for the "elimination of the enemy", was in the KutobKhel district of the city of Pul e Khumri, the defense ministry reportedly said in a statement.
Assadullah Shahbaz, a Baghlan provincial council member, said that the civilians killed in the strike were farmers who had no connection to the Taliban or other militant groups, TRT World reported.
Protests broke out on the main road of Pul e Khumri after the strike, "with demonstrators using pickup trucks to carry the remains of victims as they marched through the streets en route to burial ceremonies", according to Reuters.
A team from the ministry of defence is said to be investigating the incident, Daily Star Lebanon reported.
We have reached out to Resolute Support for clarification of US involvement and will update this post when any new information comes to light.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: KutobKhel district, Pul e Khumri, Baghlan province
- Reference: Reuters, Daily Star LB, TRT World, New York Times 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
Two strikes hit Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Nangarhar on this day. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in the province killed one member of Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Their "informed military sources" reportedly said that the strike was in the Khogyani district of the province.
Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for this strike, but it was reported on the day after the confirmed US strike.
Without further locational information from US forces we cannot be sure that this refers to the confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Three strikes 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
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 Kunar 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: Kunar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Three strikes hit Herat province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Herat on this day. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in the province had killed four Taliban fighters - though it wasn't clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was in the Shindand district of the province.
Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for this strike so we have recorded it as the date that they reported on it.
Without further locational information from US forces for the three confirmed strikes we cannot be sure that this refers to one of them.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Herat province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, Khaama Press
One strike 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
Two strikes hit Faryab 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: Faryab 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
One strike hit Wardak 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: Wardak province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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 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
