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 18
Three 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. Airstrikes across two districts of Ghazni province killed 11 Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported.
Military officials reportedly told Khaama Press that the strikes from the security forces were in the Giro and Andar districts.
It was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible 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 they reported it.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, 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
Two strikes hit Farah province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Farah around this time. The day after this strike Khaama Press reported that Afghan security forces supported by Coalition air power conducted an operation in Farah province that killed nine Taliban fighters.
The 207th Zafar Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the operation was conducted in the Shinwan Village of Bala Bolok district.
It is not clear whether the airstrike or the ground operation killed the Taliban fighters.
Khaama Press is likely referring to the NATO coalition in which the US is the only known country to be flying strike missions.
They had not given an explicit date for this strike so we recorded it as the date they reported on it.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Farah 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
Four 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
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
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
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. Xinhua reported that A drone strike in Nangarhar killed two fighters from Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State and two of their mules.
They were reportedly using mules to supply arms and ammunitions.
The US are the only known country to have drones in Afghanistan.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Xinhua
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 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 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
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
Four 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
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 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
Eight 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
Two strikes 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 an airstrike in the province killed one Taliban fighter though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to their "informed military sources" the strike was conducted in the Gomal 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: Paktika province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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 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 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 Baghlan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Baghlan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit 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
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
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
One strike hit Sar e Pul 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: Sar e Pul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit Parwan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Parwan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two 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 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 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 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
A US airstrike hit an army outpost in the Ismail Qeshalq area of Imam Sahib District, killing six soldiers and wounding eight others.
A patrol of US and Afghan forces came under fire prompting the ground forces to call in air support to suppress the machine-gun fire which was unknowingly coming from a group of Afghan security forces, Col. Dave Butler, spokesperson for US Forces Afghanistan told the New York Times.
“This operation was extensively planned and coordinated with U.S. and Afghan security forces to prevent an event like this from occurring. We regret the tragic loss of our Afghan partners. A joint investigation board will be convened to determine the factors that contributed to this incident and to help prevent future tragedies,” he added.
The Pentagon have not specified how many security forces personnel were killed in the strike.
According to ANI the strike happened at around 2am local time.
This is the third major friendly fire incident in Afghanistan this year.
Three strikes hit Kunduz province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ismail Qeshalq area, Imam Sahib district, Kunduz province
- Reference: New York Times, ANI, Washington Post, US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Three strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Helmand on this day. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in the province had killed five Taliban fighters - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Their "informed military sources" said that the strike was conducted in the Marjah district of the province.
Khaama Press had not explicitly given a date for this strike so we recorded it as the date they reported it.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two strikes hit Ghazni province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
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 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 around this time. The day after this strike, 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 conducted in the Nerkh district of the province.
Khaama Press did not explicitly state a date for this incident.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Wardak province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Three strikes hit Sar e Pul 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: Sar e Pul 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 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
Six 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
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
Four 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
US forces carried out airstrikes in Paktia province that left 37 Taliban fighters killed or injured, Khaama Press reported.
The 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the strikes were carried out in the Wech Gharak area of Ahmadabad district. The statement further noted that the strikes destroyed a Taliban weapons and munitions depot.
Khaama Press did not give an explicit date for the strike so we have recorded it as the date they reported it.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Wech Gharak area, Ahmadabad district, Paktia province
- Reference: Khaama Press
One strike hit Logar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit 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 Sar e Pul 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: Sar e Pul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Paktia province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Paktia on this day. US forces conducted airstrikes in support of Afghan forces in Paktia that killed 11 Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported.
The 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the strikes in the Zurmat district also wounded five other fighters, and destroyed a heavy machine gun and a vehicle belonging to the Taliban.
Khaama Press did not explicitly state a date for this strike, so we have recorded it as the date it was reported on.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktia province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two strikes 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. An airstrike in the province killed two Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to their "informed military sources" the strike was carried out in the Gomal district.
Khaama Press did not give an explicit date for this strike so we recorded it as the date they reported it.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktika province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
