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 | 7167 |
| Total reported killed | 84-4479 |
| Civilian reported killed | 46-363 |
| Children reported killed | 13-53 |
| Total reported injured | 47-846 |
| Total Close Air Support (CAS) sorties with at least one weapon release | 2434 |
| Total CAS sorties | 8773 |
| Total weapons released | 7423 |
Strikes Page 11
One strike hit Ghor 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: Ghor 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 previous reports of a strike in Ghazni on this day. An airstrike in the province killed one Taliban fighter, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
A cache of weapons was also said to have been destroyed.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was carried out in the Giro district over the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure whether the incident was on October 28 or 27.
US Forces - Afghanistan only reported strikes in Ghazni on October 28 in their monthly release of strike data.
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.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
Four strikes 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.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Daykundi province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Badkakshan 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: Badakhshan 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
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.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Parwan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktia province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Six strikes hit Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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
Six 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
Five strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit 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
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
Three strikes hit Baghlan 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: Baghlan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Air support was called in after an hour of fighting between Afghan ground forces and the Taliban in Faryab province, the New York Times reported.
It was not clear whether any weapons were released, or whether there were any casualties.
The Taliban had attacked security outposts in Gadai Qala village of Pashton Kot District, causing the ensuing fighting.
However, five children were killed afterwards when a roadside bomb detonated as they were collecting bullet shields and shrapnel.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Gadai Qala village, Pashton Kot District, Faryab province
- References: New York Times Afghan War Casualty Report
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 Uruzgan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Uruzgan on this day. An airstrike in the province killed 7 Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
A cache of weapons was also reportedly destroyed.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was carried out in the Tarin Kot district in the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure whether the incident was on October 26 or 25.
US Forces - Afghanistan only reported strikes in Uruzgan on October 26 in their monthly release of strike data.
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: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Parwan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Four strikes hit Paktika province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Paktika on this day. An airstrike in the province killed 5 Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
A vehicle was also said to have been destroyed in the strike.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was carried out in the Sar Rowzad district in the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure whether the incident was on October 26 or 25.
US Forces - Afghanistan only recorded strikes in Paktika on October 26 in their monthly release of strike data.
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 Paktika on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktika province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
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
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.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Herat on this day. An airstrike in the province killed 12 Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was carried out in the Kush district in the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure whether the incident was on October 26 or 25.
A separate Khaama Press report also recorded strikes on this day.
An airstrike in Herat province killed 7 fighters from Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was carried out in the Deh Bala district in the past 24 hours.
US Forces - Afghanistan only recorded strikes in Herat on October 26 in their monthly release of strike data.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan we cannot be sure that Khaama Press is referring to the confirmed US strike in Herat on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Herat province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, Khaama Press
Two strikes hit Faryab province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Faryab on this day. An airstrike in northern Faryab province killed 53 Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
The 209th Shaheen Corps reportedly said in a statement that the security forces carried out the strike at around 20:30 local time. It was said to have been in response to a large group of Taliban fighters launching coordinated attacks on security posts in Khwaja Namosi area of Pashtun Kot district.
Some of the key commanders of the group including Qari Alauddin, Sufi Hamidullah and Qari Mohammad Din, were reportedly killed.
While responsibility was placed with the security forces, we cannot 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 Khaama Press are referring to one of the confirmed US strikes in Faryab on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Faryab province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two strikes hit Baghlan 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: Baghlan 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 around this time. An airstrike in the province killed two Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was carried out in the Tarnek wa Jaldek district in the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure whether the incident was on October 26 or 25.
US Forces - Afghanistan only reported strikes in Zabul on October 25 in their monthly release of strike data.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure that Khaama Press are 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 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
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.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktia 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: Baghlan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Logar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Logar around this time. An airstrike in the province killed a prominent Haqqani Network leader, who had planned and facilitated attacks in Kabul City, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
A statement released by the Ministry of Defence reportedly said that the security forces conducted the airstrike in Zarghoon Shahr Village, killing Qari Burhan and some Pakistani and Arab militants.
He had planned and conducted the 2017 attack close to Jamhuriat Hospital which killed 103 people and wounded 235 others, the defense ministry said, adding that he had planned and facilitated the attack on a high rise building in Abdul Haq Square in 2011.
Qari Burhan had also planned and facilitated some deadly attacks in Kabul including a car bomb attack in 2015 which wounded 400 people and the attack on Alburz Township.
The defense ministry also added that Qari Burhan had close cooperation with Al Qaeda terrorist network and was facilitating the transfer of suicide bombers to Ghazni and Logar provinces.
While responsibility was placed with the security forces, we cannot rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
While Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for this strike, they reported on it the day after the confirmed US strike.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure if Khaama Press are referring to this strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Three 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
One strike 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
Seven 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. An airstrike in the province killed 4 Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was carried out in the Nad Ali district in the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure whether the incident was on October 26 or 25.
US Forces - Afghanistan only reported strikes in Helmand on October 25 in their monthly release of strike data.
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 Helmand on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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 the province killed 4 Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strikes were carried out in the Khanabad district and Chimtal district in the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure whether the incidents were on October 26 or 25.
US Forces - Afghanistan only reported strikes on October 25 in their monthly release of strike data.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure that Khaama Press was referring to the confirmed US strike on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Balkh province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
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 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.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Takhar 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
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 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
Eight 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
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 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
Five strikes hit Baghlan 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: Baghlan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit Zabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Zabul on this day. Four Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike in the province, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said the strike was carried out in the Tarnek wa Jaldek district over the past 24 hours.
We therefore cannot be sure whether the strike was carried out in October 22 or 23.
US Forces - Afghanistan only reported strikes in Zabul on October 23 in their monthly release of strike data. Without further locational information from them, we cannot be sure they are referring to the same incident.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, 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
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
Comments