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.

Reported US strikes, Afghanistan 2019
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
US Air Force reported air operations, Afghanistan 2019
Total Close Air Support (CAS) sorties with at least one weapon release 1548
Total CAS sorties 5659
Total weapons released 4483

Strikes Page 7

AFG2616 link

14 August 2019

  • 0-2 reported killed

One strike hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.

There had been previous reports of a strike in Helmand on this day. An airstrike in the province killed two Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it's not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.

According to their military officials the strike was conducted in the Kajaki district of the province.

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 strike in Helmand on this day.

AFG2615 link

14 August 2019

  • 0-2 reported killed

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 the province killed two Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it's not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.

According to their military officials the strike was conducted in the Nawa district of the province and also destroyed a small cache of weapons.

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 the confirmed US strike in Ghazni on this day.

AFG2614 link

14 August 2019

  • 0-10 reported killed

One strike 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. An airstrike in the province killed ten Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it's not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.

According to their military officials the strike was conducted in the Gurziwan district of the province.

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 the confirmed US strike.

AFG2613 link

14 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2612 link

13 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2611 link

13 August 2019

  • 0-1 reported killed

One strike hit Wardak province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.

There had been previous reports of strike in Wardak around this time. An airstrike in the province killed one Taliban fighter, Khaama Press reported - though it's not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.

According to their military officials the strike was conducted in the Chak e Wardak district of the province.

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, but they reported on it the day after the confirmed US strike.

Without further locational information, we cannot be sure that Khaama Press is referring to the confirmed US strike in Wardak on this day.

AFG2610 link

13 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2609 link

13 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

One strike hit Paktia 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.

AFG2608 link

13 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2607 link

13 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2606 link

13 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2605 link

13 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2604 link

13 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2603 link

13 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2602 link

13 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

One strike hit Daykundi 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.

AFG2601 link

12 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

Three 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.

AFG2600 link

12 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2599 link

12 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

Five strikes hit Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.

No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.

AFG2598 link

12 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2597 link

12 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2596 link

12 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

Five strikes hit Kunduz province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.

No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.

AFG2595 link

12 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2594 link

12 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2593 link

11 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

Four 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.

AFG2592 link

11 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2591 link

11 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

Sixteen 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.

AFG2590 link

11 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

One strike hit Laghman province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.

No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.

AFG2589 link

11 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2588 link

11 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2587 link

10 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2586 link

10 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

Four 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.

AFG2585 link

10 August 2019

  • 0-34 reported killed
  • 0-4 reported injured

Two 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. US and Afghan Air Force strikes killed 34 Taliban fighters in Logar province, Khaama Press reported.

The 203rd Thunder Corps of the Afghan military reportedly said in a statement that the strikes were conducted in the Tandan area of the capital of Logar, the Qala e Ebad of Baraki Barak district and the Kharpichak Kotal of Charkh district.

The statement further added that four Taliban were also wounded in the incident and destroyed a vehicle packed with explosives and munitions.

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 Logar on this day.

AFG2584 link

10 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2583 link

10 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2582 link

10 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2581 link

10 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2580C link

10 August 2019

  • 15 reported killed
  • 10 reported injured

An airstrike in Takhar province killed 15 Taliban fighters and wounded ten others, IANS reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.

According to Governor Abdul Qayum Qani, the raid happened at 02:00 local time when a group of Taliban militants were assembled in Eshkamish district to attack security checkpoints.

A car and two motorcycles were also reportedly destroyed in the strike.

US Forces - Afghanistan did not report any strikes in Takhar on this day.


AFG2580 link

9 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2579 link

9 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2578 link

9 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2577 link

9 August 2019

  • 0-3 reported killed

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. An airstrike in the province killed three Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.

According to military officials, the strike was reportedly in the Pul e Alam district.

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 was referring to one of the three confirmed US strikes on this day.

AFG2576 link

9 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

One strike 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.

AFG2575 link

9 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2574 link

9 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2573 link

9 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

Three 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.

AFG2572 link

8 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2571 link

8 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2570 link

8 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

One strike 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.

AFG2569 link

8 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.

AFG2568 link

8 August 2019

  • Unknown casualties

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.