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 27
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
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
Two strikes hit Badghis province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Badghis province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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
Nine 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 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 Paktia province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Paktia on this day.
A US airstrike killed four "militants" when it targeted a humvee packed with explosives in the Zurmat district of the province, Khaama Press reported.
The 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military said that the "militants" were looking to use the humvee to carry out an attack against the security forces.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktia province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two strikes hit Nuristan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Nuristan on this day.
Three Taliban commanders and ten of their fighters were killed in self-defence air and artillery strikes in Nuristan province, Khaama Press reported - though it was unclear whether they were US air support or Afghan strikes in the article.
According to Khaama Press, the 201st Silab Corps of the Afghan military said in a statement that the self defence airstrikes were used when Taliban fighters attacked an Afghan police checkpoint in the Nurgaram district.
The statement further added that the Taliban commanders had been identified as Janat Gul, Haji Gul, and Zabiullah.
A previous Khaama Press report on the same incident listed the death toll as eight Taliban fighters killed and one wounded.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nuristan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, Khaama Press
One strike hit Nimroz province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nimroz province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Five 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.
A number of senior Taliban leaders were killed in a US airstrike in the Markikhel area, Shirzad district, Khaama Press reported.
According to a statement from the provincial government's media office that Khaama Press has seen, those killed included:
- Sheikh Zar Mohammad alias Rahmani, deputy shadow governor of Taliban for Nangarhar
- Noorullah, deputy shadow district chief of Taliban for Shirzad district
- Mawlavi Mohammad Alam, shadow judge of Taliban for Shirzad district
- Mawlavi Mohammad Alam's brother
- Syeda Jan
- Zabiullah
17 other Taliban fighters were also killed in the strike.
- 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
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 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 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
Four 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 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
Eight 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 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
Three strikes hit Baghdis 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: Baghdis 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 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
Three 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. Khaama Press reported that ten "militants" were killed in airstrikes in the province - though it was unclear whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the strikes.
The attack was conducted in coordination with an Afghan Special Forces clearance operation in Farah City in which eight Taliban fighters were arrested.
Khaama Press did not give a specific date for this strike but reported it the day after the US strike.
- 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
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 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 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 Kunduz province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Kunduz around this time.
Four Taliban fighters were killed in airstrikes in northern Kunduz province, Khaama Press reported - though it was unclear whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the strikes.
These strikes came after the Taliban announced a "spring offensive" on Friday 12.
Khaama Press did not give a specific date for these strikes but reported on them the day after this US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kunduz 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
Two strikes hit Badghis province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Badghis province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One 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: Helmand 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
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 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
US and Afghan forces conducted airstrikes in Kandahar province, New York Times reported.
While they've reported that American and Afghan forces bombed Taliban positions, it is not immediately clear whether they are in the same location as the Taliban attack in Maruf district:
The Taliban attacked border force outposts in the area of Yusuf Neka in Maruf District, killing one soldier and wounding two others. Local authorities claimed that 20 Taliban fighters were killed and 13 others were wounded when Taliban positions were bombed by American and Afghan air power.
The information was published as part of a weekly Afghan casualty monitoring report the NYT releases.
It is unclear how many of the Taliban fighters were killed in the US strikes alone, so we have added a range to the casualty estimate.
In its monthly release of strike data US Forces - Afghanistan did not admit a strike in Kandahar on this date.
- Type of strike: US drone or air strike
- Location: Yusuf Neka, Maruf district, Kandahar province
- Reference: New York Times Afghan War Casualty Report, US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Ten Taliban fighters were killed in a joint Afghan and coalition forces operation in Ghazni, Khaama Press reported. It is unclear whether the US were providing air or ground support.
The 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military said that security forces also discovered a large weapons and explosive cache belong to Taliban militants during the same operation.
Taliban commander, Abdul Rahim, was reportedly injured during the attack.
In its monthly release of strike data US Forces - Afghanistan did not admit to a strike in Ghazni on this day.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Lawang and Khatak areas, Gilan district, Ghazni province
- Reference: Khaama Press, 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
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
Three strikes hit Badghis province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Badghis province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
AFG1623 link
13 April 2019
- 0-40 reported killed, including 0-14 security forces
- 0-6 civilians reported killed
- 0-88 reported injured, including 0-41 civilians
Six civilians were reportedly killed in clashes that were supported by US and Afghan airpower while repelling a Taliban attack on Kunduz City, according to the New York Times.
14 security forces and 20 Taliban fighters were also killed in the attack. It is unclear how many were injured through the airstrikes specifically, so we have given the casualty estimates a range.
The Taliban had attacked Kunduz City from three directions and captured four security outposts in different parts of the city, NYT reported. 88 people were also wounded in the clashes and airstrikes - 41 civilians and 47 members of the security forces.
The information was published as part of a weekly Afghan casualty monitoring report the NYT releases. It didn't include sourcing information, but we contacted the reporter who put it together. He confirmed that that the sourcing met our methodological standards.
Five strikes hit Kunduz province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
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 drone or air strike
- Location: Kunduz City, Kunduz province
- Reference: New York Times Afghan War Casualty Report, US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Paktiya 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: Paktiya province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Eleven 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.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Kandahar around this time.
Afghan and coalition airstrikes killed 11 Taliban fighters and injured three others in Kandahar province, Khaama Press reported.
The 205th Atal Corps of the Afghan Military said that the strikes were carried out in the Shahwali Kot district of the province.
Khaama Press is likely referring to the Nato coalition in which the US are the only country known to be flying strike missions. It is unclear from their report whether the fighters were killed in the Afghan or US strikes.
They did not provide a specific date for these strikes but reported on it the day after the US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Eight 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
Two strikes hit Badghis province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Badghis province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One 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
