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 22
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
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
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
An airstrike in Ghazni 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 conducted in the Andar district.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Andar district, Ghazni province
- Reference: Khaama Press
One strike hit Paktika province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktika province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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
Two civilians were reportedly killed when a drone struck a building that was housing an NGO, New York Times reported.
The organisation was reportedly providing humanitarian assistance for people in the Shib Koh district.
Asides from Afghanistan, the US are the only country known to be flying strike missions in Afghanistan and are the only country with access to drones.
Khaama Press, however, reported that eight Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike in Shib Koh district - though they did not make clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
In their monthly release of strike data, US Forces - Afghanistan admitted one strike in Farah province on this day.
We have reached out to Resolute Support for their assessment of the civilian harm allegations and will update this post when any new information comes to light.
On July 22, a spokesperson for Resolute Support told the Bureau in a phone call that this incident is still under investigation.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Farah province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, New York Times Afghan War Casualty Report, Khaama Press
US and Afghan forces carried out a military operation in Paktika province that killed ten civilians, New York Times reported.
The operation was conducted in the Pertoke area of Awrgon district and was reportedly not coordinated with local authorities.
- Type of strike: Possible US ground operation
- Location: Pertoke area, Awrgon district, Paktika province
- Reference: NYT Afghan War Casualty Report
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
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 Ghazni province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit 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 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
Six 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
Airstrikes in southern Helmand and eastern Kunar killed as many as 14 civilians, including five women and seven children, according to the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
The strike in Helmand's Greshk district was conducted on May 20, while the other strike in Kunar's Chawki district was conducted on May 22. UNAMA did not suggest whether US or Afghan forces were responsible for the attacks.
Three US strikes hit Kunar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
“Civilian casualty toll from airstrikes in #Afghanistan continues to rise,” UNAMA said on Twitter. “Parties must respect international obligations to protect civilians from harm.”
It is unclear how many of the civilians died in each strike. We have included a range in the casualty estimate to reflect the ambiguity here. While both entries in these strike logs state the casualty range for both strikes, it has only been included once in our database so not to skew the numbers.
We have reached out to Resolute Support for clarification on these incidents and will update the posts when we have more information.
On July 22, a spokesperson for Resolute Support told the Bureau in a phone call that this incident is still under investigation.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kunar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, AP, AFP, UNAMA
Three 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 - though we cannot be sure that they refer to the same strikes as identified in the US data.
Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in Nangarhar killed three Taliban fighters, but it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to Khaama's "informed military sources" the strike was conducted in the Deh Bala district.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, 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
Five strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Helmand on this day - though we cannot be sure that they are referring to the same strikes as identified in the US data.
Khaama Press reported that three airstrikes in Helmand province killed nine Taliban fighters and destroyed a motorcycle, however it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to Khaama's "informed military sources" the strikes killed six fighters in the Sangin district and a further three in the Kajaki district, where the motorcycle was also destroyed.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Three 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
Wardak province was hit with 11 strikes on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Wardak around this time - though we cannot be sure that they are referring to the same strikes as identified in the US data.
Khaama Press reported that airstrikes in Wardak province killed eight Taliban fighters and wounded another. They did not explicitly state a date for the strikes, but they reported it on May 21. The report was also unclear as to whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to Khaama's "informed military sources" the strikes were conducted in the Nerkh and Sayyidabad districts.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Wardak province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
Five 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
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 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
AFG1874 link
20 May 2019
- 0-14 civilians reported killed, including 0-4 women and 0-8 children
- 0-12 reported injured
Airstrikes in southern Helmand and eastern Kunar killed as many as 14 civilians, including five women and seven children, according to the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
The strike in Helmand's Greshk district was conducted on May 20, while the other strike in Kunar's Chawki district was conducted on May 22. UNAMA did not suggest whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the attacks.
According to data from US Forces - Afghanistan, six US strikes hit Helmand province on this day.
“Civilian casualty toll from airstrikes in #Afghanistan continues to rise,” UNAMA said on Twitter. “Parties must respect international obligations to protect civilians from harm.”
It is unclear how many of the civilians died in each strike. We have included a range in the casualty estimate to reflect the ambiguity here. While both entries in these strike logs state the casualty range for both strikes, it has only been included once in our database so not to skew the numbers.
Turkish newspaper, Yenisafak, also reported civilian harm in Nahr e Saraj on this day. They reported that airstrikes in Helmand killed five civilians and injured a dozen other people - though they were not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Umer Zwak, a spokesperson for the provincial governor reportedly confirmed the strikes and said that investigations into the civilian harm allegations are now underway.
Women and children were said to be among the injured.
We have reached out to Resolute Support for their assessment of the civilian harm allegations and will update this post when more information comes to light.
On July 22, a spokesperson for Resolute Support told the Bureau in a phone call that this incident is still under investigation.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, AP, AFP, UNAMA, Yenisafak
Three 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
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 Zabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Zabul on this day - though we cannot be sure that they are referring to the same strikes as identified in the US data.
Khaama Press reported that airstrikes in Zabul critically wounded four Taliban fighters, but it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to their "informed military sources" the strikes were conducted in the Muqorak area of Meezan district in support of Afghan ground forces.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul 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 strikes in Paktika on this day. Khaama Press reported that a coalition drone strike targeted a Taliban vehicle in Paktika, killing three Taliban fighters and wounding three others.
Khaama is likely referring to the NATO coalition in which the US are the only country known to be flying strike missions.
The 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the strike was carried out at 10:42am local time in the Bakir Khel area of Barmal district.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktika province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Five 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
Two strikes hit Kandahar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Afghanistan on this day - though we cannot be sure that they are referring to the same strikes as identified in the US data.
Khaama Press reported that a series of airstrikes in Kandahar province killed 15 Taliban fighters and injured five others, but it was 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 Band e Temor area of Maiwand district in support of Afghan ground forces.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
Nine 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
Five 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
At least three civilians were killed and eight others wounded in a joint US and Afghan raid in Helmand province, New York Times reported.
The raid was conducted in Helmand's Nahriseraj district, according to their weekly Afghan War Casualty Report.
- Type of strike: US ground operation
- Location: Nahriseraj district, Helmand province
- Reference: NYT Afghan War Casualty Report
One strike hit Zabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Zabul on this day - though we cannot be sure that they are referring to the same strikes as identified in the US data.
Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in Zabul province killed three Taliban fighters, but was not clear as to whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to Khaama's "informed military sources" the strike was conducted in the Tarnak wa Jaldak district of Zabul.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, 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 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
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 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
Five 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
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
Three 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 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
Three 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
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
