Afghanistan: Reported US covert actions 2018
The timeline below contains information on all US air attacks on Afghanistan recorded by the Bureau in 2018. 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 | 1985-1986 |
| Total reported killed | 767-1060 |
| Civilians reported killed | 92-163 |
| Children reported killed | 14-51 |
| Total reported injured | 106-166 |
| Total Close Air Support (CAS) sorties with at least one weapon release | 783 |
| Total CAS sorties | 6,584 |
| Total weapons released | 5982 |
Strikes Page 4
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
Nine 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 press release
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 press release
One strike hit Paktika province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been reports of a strike killing two people in Paktika province including a government employee returning home after a day at work, Afghan officials said. It was not clear whether this was US or Afghan strike.
Qazi Zabtullah, head of the provincial Haj and Religious Affairs Department, said an employee of his named Zabihullah had been killed. Pajhwok reported that Zabihullah was the son of former Paktia governor Mohammad Ali Hilali, although it seems Hilali had been the governor of Paktika.
The Haj department head said Zabihullah was returning home after a day at the office. A local resident said he was riding his motorbike at the time in Sardai area of Paktika's Sharana district.
There was no information on the second person reportedly killed in the strike.
Police Spokesperson Shah Mahmood Aryan confirmed two people, including the Haj department employee, had been killed in a strike.
We have reached out to the US military for more information, but have yet to receive a response.
We have included a range for the death toll to reflect the possibility the reported civilian casualties resulted from the US strike.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Paktika province
- References: Pajhwok, US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
A US ground operation in Farah province injured five civilians, the US military admitted in April 2019.
The information was released in the Department of Defense annual report on civilian casualties. No further details are currently known.
- Type of strike: US ground operation
- Location: Farah province
- References: Annual report on civilian casualties
Two strikes hit Zabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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
A 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.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kapisa province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Ten 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
A US drone strike killed the Taliban shadow governor of Ghor province, sources in the Afghan military told Khaama Press. However US data later released showed no strikes in this province on this day.
The sources identified the shadow governor as Abdul Qayoum, also known as Rouhani. Qayoum was reportedly travelling in Bahramcha area of Helmand with five others and was targeted as he tried to cross into Pakistan. Bahramcha is in the remote district of Dishu, on the border with Pakistan.
Two days prior a US strike killed Abdul Manan, the Taliban shadow governor in Helmand province.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Bahramcha area, Dishu district, Helmand province
- References: Khaama Press, US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit Zabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit Wardak province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Wardak province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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 press release
Three 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 press release
AFG1015 link
2 December 2018
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 press release
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 press release
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 press release
Twelve 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 press release
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 press release
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 press release
At least ten civilians may have been killed in a strike Paktia province, Associated Press reported. It was not clear at the tine whether Afghan or US forces carried out the strike. However US data later released showed no US strikes carried out in the province on this day.
Shausta Jan Ahady, a former provincial council member, said that women and children were among those killed. Residents have displayed the bodies and protested, he said.
Provincial Government Spokesperson Abdullah Hsrat said the strike killed four insurgents, but added that as investigation has been launched to look at the allegations of civilian casualties. "We are aware of the reports of civilian casualties, but can't confirm it right now, as an investigation is ongoing," Hsrat said.
The exact location of the strike was not clear, but Antiwar.com reported that it took place very close to the border with Pakistan.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Paktia province
- References: AP, Antiwar.com, US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
A senior Taliban commander has been killed a US strike in Helmand, Afghan and US officials confirmed.
Abdul Manan, the Taliban “shadow governor” in the southern Helmand province, died from injuries sustained late on December 1, said Omar Zwak, the spokesperson for the province's governor.
Najib Danish, the interior minister, said Manan was the group's top military leader in southern Afghanistan. “His death will lower the morale of the enemy, and result in [the] improvement of security in Helmand and other southern provinces,” he said.
Provincial Governor Mohammad Yasin Khan said Manan was killed alongside 32 others as he met local commanders and fighters in Nawzad district in Helmand province. However Khan told a different publication he was killed alongside 29 others. Khaama Press meanwhile reported he was killed with his four "comrades" and two of his security guards, based on a provincial government media statement.
Colonel Dave Butler, spokesperson for US forces in Afghanistan, confirmed his death, saying they used precision airstrikes to push the Taliban to accept engaging in peace talks"They're going to have trouble intensifying the fight when their fighters and leaders are under constant assault," he added.
The Taliban confirmed his death, describing it as a “big loss”, but the group vowed it would not affect military operations.
This strike was one of three in the province on this day, according to US data.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nawzad district, Helmand province
- References: Sky News, AFP, Reuters, Anadolu Agency, BBC, US Forces - Afghanistan data release
November strike data link
30 November 2018
The US military has released information on the strikes it carried out in November in Afghanistan.
In October, the US began publishing monthly data on its strikes in the country following a year long blackout. The release was welcomed by many as a step towards greater military transparency, with the new dataset also detailing where and what the strikes hit.
However, in its release of figures for November, the US had military quietly stripped out information on the strikes’ targets. To read about this, see here.
A 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 press release
Two 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 press release
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.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A 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 press release
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 press release
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 press release
Seven US strikes hit Kapisa on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been reports of US drone strikes targeting a Taliban court in Kapisa province, which had been recorded by the Bureau as possible strikes due to sourcing issues. Khaama Press reported this based on a statement from 201st Silab Corps (part of the Afghan military). The strikes reportedly killed two militants and injured a further two. The area hit was named as Zarba Khel area, which is located in Pechghan Valley, Nejrab district.
We have included a casualty range to reflect the possibility the possible strikes we recorded are part of the seven confirmed US strikes.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Kapisa province
- References: Khaama Press, US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Scores of militants were killed in an strike in Badakhshan, according to a statement from the 209th Shaheen Corps, which is part of the Afghan army. Khaama Press reported on the statement, but said both that 18 and 21 people had been killed.
Three Hilux vehicles, a hatchback car, a motorcycle, and some weapons and munitions were destroyed in the strike.
It was not clear whether US or Afghan forces carried out the strike, however data released the following month showed no US strikes occurred on this day.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Khastak valley, Jurm district, Badakhshan province
- References: Khaama Press, US Forces - Afghanistan press release
Nine strikes hit Ghazni province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan. No further details were given.
A possible strike had been recorded on November 30. However it was not clear when the strike took place, but it was reported on this day. The sourcing also didn't meet our methodological standards, which is why it was recorded as a possible strike.
That strike killed at least 12 fighters were killed in a US strike in Ghazni, according to a statement from the 203rd Thunder Corps (part of the Afghan army) as reported by Khaama Press. “The coalition forces carried out airstrike against the militants in Geru district of Ghazni province, leaving at least 12 of them dead,” the statement said.
On account of the possibility this strike had occurred, as have recorded a range for the death toll.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Geru district, Ghazni province
- References: Khaama Press, US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A 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 press release
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 press release
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 press release
Three 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 press release
Three strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
A 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 press release
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 press release
A 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 press release
Seven 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 press release
A 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 press release
A 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 press release
A 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 press release
A 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 press release
One civilian was killed and two others injured in a US airstrike in Helmand, the American military admitted.
The information was released in the Department of Defense annual report on civilian casualties - no other details are known.
According to data from US Forces - Afghanistan, 17 strikes hit Helmand province on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release, DoD annual report on civilian casualties
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 press release
A 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 press release
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.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan press release
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