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 14
One strike hit Nimroz 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: Nimroz province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Three strikes hit Logar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Logar on this day. US forces carried out an airstrikes in Logar province killing 19 Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported.
The 203rd Thunder Corps reportedly said in a statement that the strikes were conducted in the Pul e Alam and Baraki Barak districts of the province at some point over the last 24 hours. It is therefore unclear whether the strikes were on July 6 or 7, so we have recorded it as the date that Khaama Press reported on it.
A Khaama Press report the following day reported that ten Taliban were killed in the strike in Baraki Barak.
Without further locational information for the three confirmed US strikes we cannot be sure that these incidents refer to them.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, Khaama Press
One strike 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
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
Two civilians, employees of Emergency International, were reportedly killed in an airstrike in Ghazni province, a press release from the NGO said - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
"Gul Ahmad, the supervisor of the First Aid Post, and Musa Khan, a member of our cleaning staff, were travelling to Ghazni by motorbike when they were killed by an air strike," the statement read.
Reports surfaced in Khaama Press the following day of airstrikes in Ghazni province killing six Taliban fighters - though again it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that a strike in the Ghazni district killed four and another in the Andar district killed two - therefore confusing the civilian status of the two killed in Andar.
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 not explicitly give a date for this strike.
Three strikes hit Ghazni province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
Without further locational information from US forces for the three confirmed strikes in Ghazni on this day, we cannot be sure that this refers to the confirmed strikes.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, Emergency International press release
Four strikes 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
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
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 Nimroz 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: Nimroz province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two 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 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 Kandahar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Kandahar on this day. An airstrike in Kandahar killed 25 Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Kandahar Police Chief, General Tadin Khan Achakzai reportedly said that the strike was in response to a Taliban attack on the the district administrative compound of Maruf district on Friday 5.
While the attack was said to have been conducted by the security forces, it is still not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible for the strike as the security forces often call in US air support.
Without further locational information for the three confirmed US strikes we cannot be sure that this is referring to one of them.
- 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
Airstrikes in Zabul province killed ten Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
The 205th Atal Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the strike was conducted in the Zubaida Village of Qalat district.
The statement further added that the strike also destroyed a BM-1 rocket launcher.
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 not explicitly give a date for this strike so we have recorded it as the date that they reported on it.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Zubaida Village, Qalat district, Zabul province
- Reference: Khaama Press
The US conducted an airstrike in Ghazni province that killed three Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported.
The 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the strike was conducted in the Qarabagh district and also destroyed a motorcycle.
The special forces also carried out operations in Qarabagh on this day in which they killed one Taliban fighter and detained two others.
Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for this strike so we have recorded it as the date that they reported on it.
We are currently unable to record this in our database of confirmed US strikes due to vague sourcing.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Qarabagh district, Ghazni province
- Reference: Khaama Press
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
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 Takhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Takhar around this time. Airstrikes in the province killed up to 13 Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
The 209th Shaheen Corps reportedly said in a statement that the strikes in the Baharak district killed Mawlai Aziz, the Red Unit commander for the Taliban, alongside 12 of his fighters. An earlier Khaama Press report had stated that two Taliban were killed in the strike and four others killed in the ground operation.
While the reports 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 not explicitly give a date for this strike but reported on it the day after the confirmed US strike.
Without further locational information from US forces we cannot be sure that this is referring to one of the two confirmed US strikes.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Takhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, 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 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.
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 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
One strike hit Kapisa 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: Kapisa province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two 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 strikes in the province had killed two Taliban fighters - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to Khaama's security sources a strike in Shindand district killed two Taliban fighters. A ground operation in the district killed a further four.
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 not explicitly give a date for this strike but it was reported the day after the confirmed US strike.
- 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 Farah province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Farah around this time. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in Western Farah province killed five Taliban fighters and injured three others - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
They did not explicitly give a date for this strike but it was reported the day after the confirmed US strike.
Without any locational information from the reported strike and the confirmed US strike, we cannot be sure that these are referring to the same incidents.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Farah province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Six strikes 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
Three strikes 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
One strike hit Laghman 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: Laghman province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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 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
Two 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
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
An airstrike hit a home in Pul i Khumri City, killing two women and wounding three children, New York Times reported.
No other detail was provided in their weekly Afghan war casualty report, so it is therefore unclear whether it was a US or Afghan strike.
We will reach out to Resolute Support for clarification and update this post when any new information comes to light.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Pul i Khumri City, Baghlan province
- Reference: NYT Afghan war casualty report
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
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
Four strikes 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
Five 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
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
Four strikes hit Laghman 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: Laghman province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit Khost 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: Khost 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
One 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
Three strikes hit Wardak province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Wardak on this day. Khaama Press had reported that four Taliban fighters were killed in separate airstrikes across Wardak province - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to their "informed military officials" a strike in Sayyidabad killed two Taliban fighters and another in Maidan Shahr killed two.
Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for this strike, so we have recorded it as the day that they reported on it.
Without further locational information from US forces we cannot be sure that this refers to the same incident as one of the three confirmed US strikes in Wardak on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Wardak province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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 Takhar 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: Takhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Paktika province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Paktika on this day. Khaama Press reported that airstrikes in the province had killed seven Taliban fighters - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to their "informed military sources" the strikes were conducted in the Sar Hawza district.
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 we cannot be sure that it is referring to the confirmed US strike in Paktika on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktika province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
