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 15
Two strikes hit Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Nangarhar on this day. Khaama Press reported that a US airstrike in Nangarhar killed three members of Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State.
The 201st Silab Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the strike was carried out in the Wazir Tangi areas of the Khogyani district at around 11am local time.
Without further locational information from US forces we cannot be sure that this refers to one of the two 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 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 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
Two 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 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
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
Two strikes 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
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
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 an airstrike in the province killed one Taliban fighter - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to Khaama's "informed military sources" the strikes was conducted in the Andar district in the last 24 hours. We therefore do not know whether it was on June 30 or July 1.
The US confirmed strikes in Ghazni on both June 30 and July 1, so we have included it within this entry for now. Without further locational information from US forces we cannot be sure that this refers to one of the two confirmed US strikes on this day.
While Khaama Press' headline indicates that security forces conducted the strike, it is still unclear whether it was US or Afghan forces as the security forces often call in US air support.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Three 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
An airstrike in Farah province killed five Taliban fighters and wounded one other, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Their "informed military sources" said that the strike happened in the Bala Boluk district in the last 24 hours. We therefore do not know whether it was on June 30 or July 1.
While Khaama Press' headline indicates that security forces conducted the strike, it is still not clear whether it was US or Afghan forces as the security forces often call in US air support.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Bala Boluk district, Farah province
- Reference: Khaama Press
Three 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 Paktia 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: Paktia 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 on this day. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in the province killed one fighter from Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
While Khaama Press' headline indicates that security forces conducted the strike, it is still not clear whether it was US or Afghan forces as the security forces often call in US air support.
Their "informed military sources" said that the strike happened in the Deh Bala district in the last 24 hours. We therefore do not know whether it was on June 30 or July 1.
Without further locational information from US forces we cannot be sure that this refers to the confirmed US strike 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 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 Herat province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Herat on this day. Khaama Press reported that a strike in the province had killed two Taliban fighters - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
While Khaama Press' headline indicates that security forces conducted the strike, it is still not clear whether it was US or Afghan forces as the security forces often call in US air support.
Khaama's "security sources" said that the strikes happened in the Shindand district in the last 24 hours. We therefore do not know whether it was on June 30 or July 1.
Without further locational information from US forces we cannot be sure that this refers to the confirmed US strike on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Herat 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 Balkh province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Balkh on this day.
US airstrikes hit the Taliban as they were leaving clashes in Balkh province, New York Times reported.
The Taliban reportedly attacked a security outpost in Bodana Qala village, Sholgara district where fighting ensued for three hours. During the clashes one soldier and one local police officer were killed and three others were wounded.
The New York Times did not report any casualties from the attack, however, Khaama Press reported that 45 Taliban fighters, including three shadow district governors were killed in airstrikes in Sholgara district.
A later Khaama Press report cited the Ministry of Defence as naming the Taliban commanders killed in the US strikes as:
Identities of senior Taliban leaders killed in Balkh airstrikes:
1. Abdul Ghani alias Turabi, shadow district govenror of Taliban for Char Bolak.
2. Mawlavi Hanan, shadow district governor of Taliban for Sholgarah.
3. Gul Nabi alias Mubariz, the shadow district governor of Taliban for Chemtal.
4. Damla Nasi, deputy shadow district governor of Taliban for Shogara.
5. Rasool Jan Sadat, shadow district intelligence chief of Taliban for Chemtal.
6. Mawlavi Javid, shadow district military chief of Taliban for Chemtal.
7. Mawlavi Najibullah, senior Taliban commander in Sholgara district.
8. Mawlavi Nazir, one of the senior commanders of Taliban in Sholgara.
9. Abdulhai alias Mansor, oen of the senior commanders of Taliban in Chemtal.
10. Eatullah Sabawon, one of the senior commanders of Taliban in Charbolak.
11. Qari Sardar Mukhlis, one of the senior commanders of Taliban in Chemtal.
12. Dadullah, one of the senior commanders of Taliban in Chemtal.
13. Asadullah Shahid, one of the senior commanders of Taliban in Chemtal.
14. Noor Aga Khalid, the military commission chief of Taliban in Charbolak.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Balkh province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, New York Times Afghan War Casualty Report, Khaama Press, Khaama Press
Three 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.
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
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
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 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 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
Three strikes 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 Logar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Logar on this day. Khaama Press reported that airstrikes in the province killed up to nine Taliban fighters - most of whom were commanders - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
In separate Khaama Press reports the Ministry of Defence were cited as confirming the deaths of different Taliban fighters in the Charkh district of Logar province.
In one report the shadow Taliban governor Haji Lala and his two deputies Baryalai and Faridoon, were reported as killed in a strike.
In another report the shadow spy chief of Taliban for Ghazni, Logar, Khost, Paktiya and Kabul, Mawlavi Shams-ur-Rehman, was killed. The strike also reportedly killed Hekmatyar, Shuja and Rauf, "the three foreign comrades of Mawlavi Rehman" as well as Bilal and two other commanders.
The statements were given on June 28 according to Khaama Press, however it does not explicitly say that the strike was on that day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, Khaama Press
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
Five strikes 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
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
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
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
Three strikes hit Paktia 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: Paktia 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
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
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
Five strikes 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 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 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 Badakhshan 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: Badakhshan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Zabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Zabul around this time. The day after this strike, Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in the province killed five Taliban fighters - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to "informed military officials" that Khaama Press spoke to, the strike was conducted in the Shinkai district.
Khaama Press had not explicitly given a date for this incident so we recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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.
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
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. The day after these strikes, Khaama Press reported that a member of Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State was injured in an airstrike in the province - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to their "informed military sources" the strike was in Nangarhar's Achin district.
Khaama Press had not explicitly given a date for this incident so we recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar 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
