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 29
Nineteen 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 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
Nine 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 Jawzjan 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: Jawzjan 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
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 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.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Badghis on this day. Khaama Press reported that coalition airstrikes in northwest Badghis killed 26 "militants" and wounded three others when air support was called in to assist Afghan National Army soldiers.
According to their "informed military sources", the strikes were conducted in the Bala Murghab and Jawand districts of Badghis.
It is not clear which group the fighters killed were from.
Khaama Press are likely referring to the Nato coalition, in which they are the only known nation to be flying strike missions.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Badghis province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
One strike 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.
Up to 13 civilians were killed and five others wounded in an American airstrike in Uruzgan province, the New York Times reported.
Local officials claimed that between 10 and 13 civilians were killed when a US airstrike struck a hotel on the Uruzgan-Kandahar highway.
The deputy of the provincial council in Uruzgan, Mohammad Krim Karemi, told NYT that 13 civilians were killed and five wounded. Aminullah Tokhi, head of the provincial hospital said that ten civilians were killed in the attack.
However, the provincial governor's office and the Kandahar police chief denied that any civilians were involved, claiming that all of those killed were Taliban fighters.
According to a freelance journalist on Twitter, the hotel was in the Sarkhobeb area of Shawalikot district. They put the death toll at nine civilians, four from Daikundi province and the rest from Shawalikot, and said that six bodies were transferred to the central hospital in Tarin Kot.
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: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, New York Times Afghan War Casualty Report, Twitter
Four 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
Six 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.
Five fighters from Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State were killed in a drone strike in Nangarhar province, according to local media.
Both Khaama Press and Xinhua reported that an airstrike from a foreign forces unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) struck Nangarhar's Achin district, killing five fighters.
Among those killed was one of the group's commanders, Mawlawi Suliman.
Khaama Press are likely referring to the US’ role in the NATO coalition when they refer to “foreign forces” as the US are the only country known to be flying strike missions in Afghanistan.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, Xinhua
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.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Ghazni on this day.
An airstrike in Ghazni province killed one Taliban fighter, Khaama Press reported.
Their "informed military sources" said that the strike was conducted in the province's Muqor district - though they were not clear whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two strikes 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.
Ten Taliban fighters and three children were killed in a US-Afghan forces joint operation in Faryab province, the New York Times reported.
The three children were reportedly killed by a rocket that was fired by the Taliban, so have not been included in our database of those killed by US forces.
According to the NYT, some "Taliban targets" were hit by American airpower.
Local officials claimed that ten Taliban fighters were killed and 11 others arrested during the operation, in which the Taliban were using houses as trenches.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Sakh e Bala area, Qaisar district, Faryab province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, New York Times Afghan War Casualty Report
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
Seven 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.
An airstrike in Uruzgan province killed five Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported.
Their "informed military sources" said that the strike was conducted in the Tarin Kot district of the province.
It was unclear in their report whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the attack.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
One strike hit Paktiya province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Paktiya on this day.
Six Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike in Paktiya province, Khaama Press reported.
Their "informed military sources" said that the strike was conducted in the Zurmat district of the province - though it was not clear whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the attack.
Khaama Press separately reported an airstrike in Paktia province killed one Taliban fighter.
Their "informed military sources" said that the strike was conducted in the province's Bermal district on either April 1 or 2.
US Forces - Afghanistan did not admit to a strike in Paktia on April 2.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktiya province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, 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
Six strikes hit Nimroz province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Nimroz on this day.
Up to 13 Taliban fighters were killed when airstrikes were called in during a Taliban attack on Afghan special forces in Nimroz province, Khaama Press reported.
Their "informed military sources" said that the Afghan National Army reinforced the checkpoint that was being attacked before airstrikes were called in to target the fighters who were trying to regroup in the open after their initial attack.
13 fighters were reportedly killed - though it is not clear how many were killed specifically from the airstrike.
It was not clear from their report whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the strike, or if it was definitely on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nimroz province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Six 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.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Logar on this day.
An airstrike in Logar province killed two Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported.
Their "informed military sources" said that the strike was conducted in the province's Pul e Alam district.
It had been unclear whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the attack.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar 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.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Helmand on this day.
Five Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike in southern Helmand province, Khaama Press reported.
The provinicial government media office stated that the attack was conducted by foreign forces in the Musa Qala district. It further noted that Hafiz Rashid, the local Taliban leader in charge of media activities, was killed when then the Taliban compound was struck.
Another local Taliban leader, Takai, was reportedly critically wounded in the strike. A later Khaama Press report said that Takai had died as a result of his injuries.
Khaama Press are likely referring to the US’ role in the NATO coalition when they refer to “foreign forces” as the US are the only country known to be flying strike missions in Afghanistan.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, Khaama Press
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.
An airstrike in Ghazni province killed five Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though they did not make clear whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the attack.
A statement released by the 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military said that the strike was conducted in the Jelam area in the Qarabagh district.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Five 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
Six strikes hit Badakhshan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Badakhshan on this day. Khaama Press reported that the strikes killed 10 Taliban fighters and injured three others.
Their "informed military sources" said that the strikes were conducted in the Arghanj Khwah district. Afghan National Army soldiers were reportedly conducting operations to clear the district of Taliban fighters and recaptured two checkpoints.
It had been unclear in the Khaama Press report whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the attack.
The sources stated that the strikes had happened during the last 24 hours, so it was unclear whether they were on April 1 or 2. US forces data shows strikes in this province on April 1, not April 2.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Arghanj Kwhah district, Badakhshan province
- Reference: Khaama Press, US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Seven Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike in Balkh province, Khaama Press reported.
Their "informed military sources" said that the strike was conducted in the Chimtal district of the province.
It is unclear whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the attack, so we are unable to record it in our database of confirmed US strikes.
Khaama Press did not give a date for this specific airstrike, so we have recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
In its monthly release of strike data, US Forces - Afghanistan did not admit to a strike in Balkh on this day.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Chimtal district, Balkh province
- Reference: Khaama Press, US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Ten 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 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 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 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
Six 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. Airstrikes from coalition forces in Helmand province killed 14 Taliban fighters and wounded three others, Khaama Press reported.
The first strike was reportedly conducted at 12am local time in the Nad e Ali district. This targeted a Taliban compound and killed four fighters whilst wounding one other.
The second strike hit another Taliban compound in Nahr e Saraj at 2am local time, killing ten fighters and wounding two others.
Khaama Press is likely referring to the Nato coalition, in which the US is the only country known to be flying strike missions.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Three strikes hit Balkh province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Balkh province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Seven 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
Three strikes 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
One strike 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. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in Shah Wali Kot district killed three Taliban fighters, according to their "informed military sources".
It was not clear in Khaama Press' report whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in Helmand's Nahr e Saraj district struck a vehicle-borne IED.
The "precision airstrike" was reportedly used as part of an Afghan security forces multi-day operation that killed 19 Taliban fighters and wounded two others. Four IED manufacturing facilities were also destroyed as part of the operation.
Khaama Press did not give a specific date for this strike so we cannot be certain that it corresponds with the strike in the USAF data.
- 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.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Ghazni on this day.
Three Taliban fighters were killed in an Afghan special forces operation that was supported by airstrikes, Khaama Press reported.
Their "informed military sources" said that the strikes were conducted in the Jaji and Qarabagh districts of Ghazni province.
It is unclear whether the Taliban fighters were killed in the airstrike or the ground operation.
It was also not clear from Khaama Press' report whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the strike.
Khaama Press did not specify a date for this strike, but as it was reported on March 31 it is possible that they were referring to the same strike as the USAF data, which occurred the day before.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni 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
Seven 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. Khaama Press reported that an airstrike in the Musa Qal'ah district of the province, killed up to eight Taliban fighters.
Khaama Press reported in the same article that one Taliban fighter was killed and that eight Taliban fighters were killed in Musa Qal'ah - it is unclear which death toll is correct.
They also did not give a specific date for this strike so we cannot be certain that it corresponds with the strike in the USAF data.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
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 Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Nangarhar on this day. Up to 11 fighters from Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State were killed in airstrikes in Nangarhar province, local press reported - though there was some confusion over the death toll.
According to Khaama Press' "informed military sources" the strikes took place in Nangarhar's Achin, Pacher Agam and Khogyani districts. They reported that two fighters were killed in Khogyani, with four being killed in total. However, Xinhua reported that five fighters were killed in Achin alone.
A later report from Khaama Press stated that five were killed in Achin and four in Deh Bala.
Two of the commanders killed in the Achin strike were later named as Sadar Wali and Lal Mohammad.
It was unclear in Khaama Press' report whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, Xinhua, Khaama Press, Khaama Press
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
An airstrike in Paktika province killed two Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported.
Their "informed military sources" said that the strike took place in the Bermal district of the province.
They stated that the airstrikes had happened during the last 24 hours, but it is unclear whether they were on 26 or 27, so we have recorded it as the date that Khaama Press reported on it.
It is also unclear whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the attack, so we are unable to record it in our database of confirmed US strikes.
In their monthly release of airstrike data, US Forces - Afghanistan did not report any strikes in Paktika province on or around March 27.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Bermal district, Paktika province
- Reference: Khaama Press
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
Three 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 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 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
