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 6
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
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
Six strikes 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.
Airstrikes in two districts of Logar killed three Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly told Khaama Press that security forces conducted a strike in the Charkh district of Logar that killed one fighter.
A separate strike was said to have been conducted in the Pul e Alam district of Logar that killed two fighters.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for this strike so we recorded it as the date that they spoke to the military officials.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure that Khaama Press are referring to the confirmed US strikes in Logar on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two strikes hit Kapisa province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kapisa province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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
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.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Ghazni on this day. An airstrike in the province killed one Taliban fighter, Khaama Press reported - though it is not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly told Khaama Press that the security forces conducted the strike in the Gelan district of Ghazni.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for this strike so we recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure that Khaama Press are referring to one of the confirmed US strikes in Ghazni on this day.
- 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 Zabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Three strikes hit Uruzgan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Uruzgan on this day. US forces attacked a Taliban hideout in southern Uruzgan province with guided rockets that killed seven Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported.
The 205th Atal Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that they targeted the Taliban hideout in Charchino district of Uruzgan.
They also reportedly destroyed some weapons, munitions and explosives of the group.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure that Khaama Press are referring to one of the confirmed US strikes in Uruzgan on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Seven 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
Seven 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 Kabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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 Ghanzi 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 the province killed seven Taliban fighters and wounded seven others, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
The 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the security forces conducted the strike in the Starnai area of Deh Yak district.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Khaama Press did explicitly give a date for this strike so we have recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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 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
Three strikes 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. The shadow district chief of Taliban, along with three other fighters, were killed in an airstrike in central Logar, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
The 209th Shaheen Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the security forces conducted the strike that killed Mawlavi Mohamadullah Farooqi, the shadow district chief for the Azra district.
The statement further added that the strike happened around 7pm local time. One of the others killed was reportedly Farooqi's deputy.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure that this refers to one of the three confirmed US strikes in Logar on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
Four strikes hit Kandahar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Kandahar on this day. An airstrike killed at least eight 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 Khakrez district.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for this strike so we recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure that Khaama Press is referring to one of the confirmed US strikes in Kandahar on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
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
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 Balkh province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Balkh on this day. Airstrikes in northern Balkh province killed up to 17 Taliban fighters and wounded up to 20 more, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
The 209th Shaheen Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said that the strikes were carried out in the Qarsghigak village at around 11am local time.
A clash broke out elsewhere in the province so it is not clear how many were killed and injured in the strikes alone.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strikes, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure whether Khaama Press if referring to the confirmed US strike in Balkh on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Balkh province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, 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
Seven 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
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
Four strikes hit Logar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Kandahar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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 Ghazni province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Ghazni on this day. A US airstrike in Ghazni province killed six Taliban fighters and wounded four others, Khaama Press reported.
The provincial government reportedly said that the strike was conducted in the Deh Yak district.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure that Khaama Press are referring to one of the confirmed US strikes in Ghazni on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
One strike hit Zabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Zabul on this day. A Humvee "armoured personnel carrier" that had been captured by the Taliban was destroyed by an airstrike in Zabul province, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials that Khaama Press spoke to said that the strike was conducted in the Shinka district.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for this strike so we recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure that Khaama Press is referring to the confirmed US strike in Zabul on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
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
Four 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. An airstrike in the province destroyed a communication node used for coordinating attacks, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
According to the military officials that Khaama Press spoke to, the strike was conducted in the Hisarak district.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for this strike so we recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure that Khaama Press are referring to one of the confirmed US strikes on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
Two 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
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
Six 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 the province killed three Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
The military officials that Khaama Press spoke to said that the strike was conducted in the Nawa district.
While the report says that the security forces conducted the strike, we cannot definitely rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for this strike so we recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two 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
Five 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
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
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
One strike hit Logar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit 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.
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
