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 32
One strike hit Kapisa province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Kapisa around this time. Khaama Press reported that two Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike in the Tagab district, according to their "informed military sources".
It was unclear whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the attack in the report.
Khaama Press did not specify a date for this strike, but as it was reported on March 5 it is possible that they were referring to the same strike as the USAF data.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kapisa province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
Three strikes 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
Three strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Helmand around this time. Khaama Press reported that three Taliban fighters were killed in a strike in the Nahr e Saraj district, according to their "informed military sources".
It was unclear whether US air support or Afghan forces were responsible for the attack in the report.
Khaama Press did not specify a date for this strike, but as it was reported on March 5 it is possible that they were referring to the same strike as the USAF data.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two strikes hit Uruzgan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit 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 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 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
Khaama Press reported numerous airstrikes in Afghanistan on February 28. However, according to monthly airstrike data released by US Forces - Afghanistan, there were not any US strikes in the areas mentioned in the following reports:
- Seven Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike in Mohammad Aghah district, Logar province
- Two Taliban fighters were killed in airstrikes in Zurmat district, Paktia province
- Eight Taliban fighters were killed and five others injured in an airstrike in Chematal district, Balkh province
At further 30 Taliban fighters were reportedly killed in Afghan Special Forces operations and airstrikes - though it is not clear whether they were conducted by US or Afghan forces:
- Tarin Kot, Uruzgan province
- Sabari district, Khost province
- Shahwlai Kot district, Kandahar province
- Sancharak district, Sar-e-Pul province
- Qarabagh district, Ghazni province
Khaama Press did not give a date for these airstrikes, so we have recorded them as the date that they were reported on.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Various provinces
- Reference: Khaama Press, Khaama Press
One strike hit Zabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike 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.
In the first, Khaama Press reported that "at least 30 militants" were killed in three different provinces from Afghan Special Forces operations and unidentified airstrikes - one of these was Nangarhar's Hisarak district.
It is unclear whether the airstrike was carried out by US or Afghan forces. There is also not enough information available to know how many Taliban fighters were killed in the Nangarhar airstrike, or whether in fact it was the airstrike that killed them or ground operations.
Khaama Press did not give a date for this specific airstrike, so we have recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
The three strikes were in Nangarhar, Helmand and Uruzgan. The US forces data indicates that they did conduct airstrikes on this day in Nangarhar and Helmand - these strikes have both been recorded with a 0-30 casualty range in these strike logs, but the figures in our spreadsheet only show the range on one of these incidents, so not to distort the numbers.
In the second report, Khaama Press reported that seven Taliban fighters including two sub-commanders were killed in an airstrike in eastern Nangarhar province.
Their military sources named Mula Zanzir and Maulawi Shafiq as the two Taliban sub-commanders that were killed in the airstrike.
Khaama Press' sources further added that Zanzir was responsible for recruiting and Shafiq for directing, attacks against Afghan civilians.
It is not clear whether these two separate reports are referring to the same strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Hisarak district, Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, Khaama Press
Two 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 at least two Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike in Nahr-e-Saraj.
In the first, Khaama Press reported that "at least 30 militants" were killed in three different provinces from Afghan Special Forces operations and unidentified airstrikes - one of these was Helmand's Nahr-e-Saraj district.
It is unclear whether the airstrike was carried out by US or Afghan forces. There is also not enough information available to know how many Taliban fighters were killed in the Helmand airstrike, or whether in fact it was the airstrike that killed them or ground operations.
Khaama Press did not give a date for this specific airstrike, so we have recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
The three strikes were in Nangarhar, Helmand and Uruzgan. The US forces data indicates that they did conduct airstrikes on this day in Nangarhar and Helmand - these strikes have both been recorded with a 0-30 casualty range in these strike logs, but the figures in our spreadsheet only show the range on one of these incidents, so not to distort the numbers.
A later Khaama Press report read:
The informed military sources announced Monday that a strike in Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand killed two Taliban fighters and destroyed one weapons cache.
This report is thought to be in reference to this strike, which we believe to have occurred the Friday before, though we cannot be sure.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nahr-e-Saraj area, Sangin district, Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, Khaama Press
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
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
Four 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 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 Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been a previous report of a strike in Nangarhar on this day. Khaama Press reported that three fighters from Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State were killed in an airstrike by coalition forces in the east of the province.
Their source, a statement from the 201st Silab Corps, which is a part of the Afghan military, stated:
Afghan National Police and Afghan Local Police forces conducted operations with the air support of Coalition Forces which resulted into the killing of 3 ISIS-K militants.
The statement further added that local residents and security personnel suffered casualties during the operation.
Khaama Press' report does not mention what date the strike occurred on, so we have recorded it as the date that they reported on it.
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: Mamand Tangi area, Achin district, Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
Two strikes hit Khost province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Khost province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Four strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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
Six 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 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
Four strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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 Taliban fighter was killed and another injured in an airstrike in Jawzjan province, Khaama Press reported.
It is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible for the attack.
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 their monthly release of airstrike data, US Forces - Afghanistan did not report any strikes in Jawzjan province on February 26.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Jawzjan province
- Reference: Khaama Press
A fighter from Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State or a Taliban fighter was killed in an airstrike in Balkh province, Khaama Press reported.
Information from "informed military sources" stated that one Taliban fighter and one fighter from Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State were killed in separate airstrikes in Nangarhar and Balkh provinces - though it is not clear which strike killed which fighter.
It is also not known whether US or Afghan forces were responsible for the attack, we are therefore unable to record this 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 their monthly release of airstrike data, US Forces - Afghanistan did not report any strikes in Balkh province on February 26.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Balkh province
- Reference: Khaama Press
A fighter from Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State or a Taliban fighter was killed in an airstrike in Nangarhar province, Khaama Press reported.
Information from "informed military sources" stated that one Taliban fighter and one fighter from Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State were killed in separate airstrikes in Nangarhar and Balkh provinces - though it is not clear which strike killed which fighter.
It is also not known whether US or Afghan forces were responsible for the attack, we are therefore unable to record this 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 their monthly release of airstrike data, US Forces - Afghanistan did not report any strikes in Nangarhar province on February 26.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- Reference: Khaama Press
One strike hit Wardak province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been a previous report of a strike in Wardak on this day. Khaama Press reported that a Taliban commander was killed in an airstrike in Sayyidabad district.
Information from "informed military sources" stated that the fighter killed was a mid-level commander and attack facilitator.
It is not clear from Khaama Press' report whether US or Afghan forces were responsible for this attack.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Sayyidabad district, Wardak province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Three strikes hit Uruzgan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit 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 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 Jowzjan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been a previous report of a strike in Jowzjan on this day. Pajhwok Afghan News reported that three Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike in the north of the province.
It is not clear in their report whether US or Afghan forces were responsible for the attack.
Police chief Faqeer Mohammad Jawzjani told Pajhwok Afghan News that the fighters were killed in a strike in the Chaharbagh village of Faizabad district on the night of Monday 25.
An anonymous intelligence source told Pajhwok that Mullah Shahabuddin, who led a 40 strong fighter group in the district, was among those killed.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Chaharbagh village, Faizabad district, Jowzjan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Pajhwok Afghan News
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
Nine 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.
In the first incident, at least eight members of a government backed militia were killed and three others wounded in a NATO friendly-fire airstrike in Ghazni, according to both local and international sources.
Afghan officials told local news site, Tolo News, that the public uprising forces had asked for air support in the Hootqawl area of the Jaghori district, but their own outpost was hit by mistake. This was later confirmed by Ahmad Khan Sirat, a spokesperson for Ghazni police, in an interview with the BBC.
Arif Noori, a spokesperson for the governor of the eastern Ghazni province, told AP that three people were also wounded in the strike Monday night.
There is some variation in the death toll for this incident with various officials giving different numbers. Khan Ali Radmanish, the Jaghori district governor, told Tolo News that two outposts of the public uprising forces were targeted with airstrikes on Monday night which had left eight forces dead and four others wounded. However, Provincial Council Head, Naseer Ahmad Faqiri claimed that 12 personnel had “suffered casualties” - which could be the toll for both fatalities and injured.
Anti War reported that locals are claiming that all 12 members of the militia who were in the outpost were killed.
In the second incident on this day, an airstrike in Ghazni province killed at least 18 Taliban fighters, Pajhwok Afghan News reported.
Mohammad Arif Noori, the spokesperson for Ghazni's governor, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Afghan and US forces launched an operation in Rashidan, Deh Yak and Qarabagh districts. As they launched both land and air operations, there is not currently enough information to know which belligerent conducted the airstrike.
Haji Matin, a Taliban who was in charge of collecting taxes was killed, alongside another key commander, Faroqi, according to Noori.
It is known that the US were flying strike missions in Ghazni province on this night due to the accidental friendly-fire incident that is mentioned above.
As Pajhwok named multiple districts of Ghazni, it is unclear whether this is a summary report of airstrikes over several days or one incident.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Hootqawl area, Jaghori district, Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Pajhwok Afghan News, Washington Post, Tolo News, Pajhwok Afghan News, Anti War
One strike 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
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 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
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 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
Three strikes hit Wardak province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been a previous report of a strike in Wardak on this day. Khaama Press reported that a Taliban commander was killed in an airstrike in Sayyidabad district.
Information from "informed military sources" stated that the Taliban commander, Qari Sahid, was known for coordinating high profile attacks in Kabul.
It is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible for the attack that Khaama Press reported on.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Sayyidabad district, 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
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
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
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
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
Four strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Ghazni province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been a previous report of a strike in Ghazni on this day. Tolo News reported that 10 Taliban fighters were killed in airstrike in Ghazni province that was backed by foreign forces.
Information provided by the provincial governor’s office states that there were two strikes that both targeted a Taliban hideout in Ghazni’s Andar district. The statement further added that there was no civilian harm or harm to Afghan forces.
Tolo News 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: Andar district, Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Tolo News
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
