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 16
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.
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 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
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
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 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
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
One strike hit Faryab province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Faryab around this time. The day after this strike, Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in the Bal Chirag district killed two Taliban fighters - though it was unclear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Faryab province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
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 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 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 Kandahar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Kandahar on this day.
Airstrikes in Kandahar killed eight Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
The 205th Atal Corps reportedly said in a statement that the strikes were carried out in the Tengi Wech area of Shah Wali Kot district. Three Taliban fighters were also reported to be wounded.
While the report says that it was conducted by security forces, it is unclear whether the strike was carried out by US or Afghan forces as the security forces often call in US air support.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Six 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
A series of airstrikes killed a group of nine Taliban fighters on the outskirts of Ghazni city, Khaama Press reported.
The 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the US conducted the strikes in the Gabri and Mangor areas.
The strikes were also reported to have destroyed a vehicle and three motorcycles belonging to the Taliban.
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: Gabri & Mangor areas, Ghazni City, Ghazni
- Reference: Khaama Press
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
Four 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 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 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 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 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 killed four Taliban fighters in Farah province, 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 Posht e Rod district and also wounded one other Taliban fighter.
While the report says that it was conducted by security forces, it is unclear whether the strike was carried out by US or Afghan forces as the security forces often call in US air support.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Posht e Rod district, Farah province
- Reference: Khaama Press
A US drone strike killed two fighters from Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State in Nangarhar province, Khaama Press reported.
The 201st Silab Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the US conducted the strike in the morning in the Zawi area of Khogyani district.
The statement further noted that the strike injured six other fighters and destroyed weapons and ammunition.
We currently cannot include this in our database of confirmed US strikes due to vague sourcing.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Zawi area, Khogyani district, Nangarhar province
- Reference: Khaama Press
Taliban commander, Mullah Awaz (aliased Ghazi) was killed in a "foreign forces" drone strike in Herat, according to both Xinhua and Khaama Press.
Abdul Ahad Walizada, the provincial police spokesperson said that the strike hit the Taliban hideout in Aziz Abad area of Shindand district in the morning.
According to Khaama Press, the 207th Zafar Corps of the Afghan military said that Awaz was the son of Mir Khan, one of the IED makers of Taliban.
Sher Ahmad, another key Taliban member, was also wounded in the strike. His brother is reportedly the Taliban’s shadow district chief for Zawal.
The US are the only known country to be flying armed drones in Afghanistan.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Aziz Abad area, Shindand district, Herat province
- Reference: Khaama Press, Xinhua
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 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
Two 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 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 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 Farah province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Farah on this day.
Airstrikes in Farah province targeted the compound of a Taliban commander, killing six fighters and wounding five others, Khaama Press reported.
The police headquarters of Farah reportedly said in a statement that the strikes were carried out in Rokan Village of Posht e Rod district.
The compound targeted was that of Syed Shafiq alias Fahim Agha.
Five other Taliban fighters were wounded in the strikes, the statement added.
While Khaama Press reported that the security forces carried out the strike, it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible as the security forces often call in US air support.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Farah province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
Four strikes hit Uruzgan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Uruzgan on this day. Khaama Press reported that airstrikes in the province killed for Taliban fighters and wounded one other - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Their "informed military sources" said that the strikes were in the Tarin Kot district.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan 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 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 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.
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 Ghor province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Ghor around this time. The day after this strike, Khaama Press reported that airstrikes in Ghor province destroyed weapons, ammunition and a Taliban fighting position.
While Khaama Press reported that the security forces carried out the strike, it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible as the security forces often call in US air support.
The police headquarters of Farah reportedly said that the strikes were in the Gowhar area of Charsada district.
A 75mm artillery, a 82mm mortar, 2 motorcycles and a fighting position of Taliban were destroyed.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghor province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
One strike hit Faryab province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Faryab on this day. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike killed 13 "militants" - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
The 207th Shaheen Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that two of those were foreign terrorists - including Ali Aka, a terrorist from Uzbekistan, as well as one other.
The strike was carried out in the Pashtun Kot district.
Khaama Press had not explicitly given a date for this strike so we recorded it as the date it was reported on.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Faryab province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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 on this day. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in the province killed three Taliban fighters - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Their "informed military sources" said that the strike was in the Bala Boluk district.
While Khaama Press reported that the security forces carried out the strike, it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible as the security forces often call in US air support.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Farah province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two strikes hit Zabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes around Zabul at this time. The day after this strike Khaama Press released two articles detailing incidents in the province.
The first said that according to their "informed military sources" a strike in the Shinkai district had killed two Taliban fighters - though it was unclear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
The second said that a strike in the Shah Joy district had killed one Taliban fighter - though it was unclear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
While Khaama Press reported that the security forces carried out the strikes, it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible as the security forces often call in US air support.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, Khaama Press
Six strikes hit Uruzgan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Uruzgan on this day. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in the province killed 11 Taliban fighters - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly told Khaama Press that the strike was carried out in the Tarin Kot district.
While the report says that it was conducted by security forces, it is unclear whether the strike was carried out by US or Afghan forces as the security forces often call in US air support.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
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
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
