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 3
One strike hit Wardak province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Wardak around this time. There was an airstrike in the province, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was in the Jalrayz district.
While responsibility was placed with the security forces, we cannot 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, but reported on it the day after the confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Wardak 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
Four strikes hit Paktika province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Paktika on this day. Six members of the Taliban's Haqqani Network were killed in a "foreign forces" airstrike in Paktika province, Pajhwok reported.
Police spokesperson, Shah Mahmood Arian, told Pajhwok the strike was carried out in the Lamani area of Barmal district on Monday night.
"Rahmatullah Waziri, a resident of Barmal district, confirmed the air raid but was unable to say if the slain persons were civilians or militants," Pajhwok reported.
Khaama Press also reported a strike in the Bermal district, but made no reference as to who carried out the strike.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure that Pajhwok are referring to one of the confirmed US strikes on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktika province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Pajhwok, Khaama Press
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
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.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kapisa province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two 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. There was an airstrike in the province, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was in the Shah Wali Kot district.
While responsibility was placed with the security forces, we cannot 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, but reported on it the day after the confirmed US strike.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure that Khaama Press are referring to a confirmed US strike on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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 around this time. There was an airstrike in the province, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was in the Shah Wali Kot district.
While responsibility was placed with the security forces, we cannot 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, but reported on it the day after the confirmed strike.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure that Khaama Press are referring to the confirmed US strike 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 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 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 Badghis 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: Badghis province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Seven Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike in Ghazni province after they attacked and killed 23 local army members in Qarabagh, Pajhwok reported.
On Friday 13 December, 23 local army members were killed in an attack in Lewani bazaar area of Qarabagh district.
A security source told Pajhwok that at least nine Taliban fighters had opened fire on the local army personnel.
Mohammad Arif Noori, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok seven of the nine attackers were killed in an airstrike.
“The militants were under air forces watch and attacked them between Barli and Shah Gholi areas of Ab Band district late on Monday night,” he said.
Mohammad Anwar, a resident of the district, told Pajhwok that six Taliban militants had been killed in a airstrike late on Monday night.
No reference was made as to who conducted the strike.
US Forces - Afghanistan did not record any strikes in Ghazni on this day in their monthly release of strike data.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Ab Band district, Ghazni province
- References: Pajhwok, US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Uruzgan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Uruzgan on this day. An airstrike in Uruzgan province killed three Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that security forces carried out the strike in the Shaid e Hasad district over the past 24 hours. It is therefore not clear whether the strike was on December 15 or 14.
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 the confirmed US strike on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two strikes 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 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
Five strikes hit Ghor province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Ghor 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 security forces carried out the strike in the Dowlatyar district over the past 24 hours. It is therefore not clear whether it happened on December 15 or 14.
While responsibility was placed with the security forces, we cannot rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
US Forces - Afghanistan recorded strikes in Ghor on December 15 and 14 in their monthly release of strike data. Without further locational information from them, we cannot be sure that Khaama Press are referring to one of the confirmed US strikes.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghor province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
One strike hit Badghis 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: Badghis province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Six strikes hit Uruzgan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Three strikes hit Kandahar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Kandahar 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.
Military officials reportedly said that security forces carried out the strike in the Khakrez district over the past 24 hours. It is therefore not clear whether the strike was on December 15 or 14.
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 on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
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 Badghis 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: Badghis province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit Kandahar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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
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
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 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 Badghis 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: Badghis 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 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
One strike hit Badghis 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: Badghis province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One Taliban fighter was killed in an airstrike in Balkh province, 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 Nahri Shahi district over the past 24 hours. It is therefore unclear whether it happened on December 12 or 11.
No reference was made as to who carried out the strike.
US Forces - Afghanistan did not record strikes in Balkh on either of these days in their monthly release of strike data.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Nahri Shahi district, Balkh province
- References: Khaama Press, US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
An airstrike in Paktia province killed three Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike took place in the Bermal district over the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure whether the strike happened on December 12 or 11.
No reference was made as to who conducted the strike.
US Forces - Afghanistan did not record any strikes in Paktia on either of these days in their monthly release of strike data.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Bermal district, Paktia province
- References: Khaama Press, US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
A series of US airstrikes were called in following a failed Taliban attempt to breach Bagram airbase in Parwan province, Resolute Support confirmed.
US and Afghan forces were reportedly pulled into a 9-10 hour fight after a suicide bombing targeted a medical facility near the airbase, the Military Times reported.
They strikes targeted the medical facility when Taliban fighters barricaded themselves inside, a Resolute Support spokesperson said.
The site was being built to offer medical services to local Afghans.
The attack began with suicide attackers detonating two vehicle-borne bombs at the building site, located near the northern corner of Bagram Airfield, the largest U.S. base in Afghanistan, said Wahida Shahkar, spokeswoman for the governor of Parwan province.
The suicide bombing and attack killed at least two Afghan civilians and wounded nearly 70 others, according to the Afghanistan Ministry of Interior.
“Coalition forces, in coordination with Afghan Security Forces, informed local residents and blocked off the area before conducting these airstrikes to ensure their safety,” a Resolute Support spokesman told Military Times in an emailed statement.
Georgia said five of its service members were wounded in Wednesday’s attack on Bagram.
The hospital has a gate leading to the base, said Mohammad Mahfooz Alizada, Parwan police chief.
A number of nearby civilian houses were destroyed in the bombing, according to a local member of parliament for Parwan Province where Bagram base is located, ABC reported.
Military forces stationed at the American base heard, "Ground attack in sector bravo five. Shelter in place," over an emergency alert system at Bagram Airfield in the early stages of the assault amid the barrage of gunfire and whining sirens, according to a video of the attack posted to social media. - Newsweek
Resolute Support said the attack was "quickly contained and repelled … but the future medical facility was badly damaged."
It is not clear how many casualties were sustained in the ensuing airstrikes.
There were no casualties to US and coalition forces, according to US military officials.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on the medical facility.
Three strikes hit Parwan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Bagram Airbase, Parwan province
- References: Georgia MoD, Military Times, Stars & Stripes, ABC, Newsweek, Deutsche Wells, 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
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 strike summary
One strike hit Badakhshan 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 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
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
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 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
Four civilians were killed when US forces fired mortars from the Fourth Brigade of the Afghan National Army in Logar province, the New York Times reported.
One of the mortars hit a house in the Baraki Barak district, killing four children.
No further details were given.
We are currently unable to record this incident in our database of confirmed US strikes as it only carries air strikes.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Baraki Barak district, Logar province
- References: New York Times Afghan War Casualty Report
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
Five strikes hit Uruzgan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit 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 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
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. At least 14 Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike in Zabul, Tolo News reported.
The Ministry of Defence reportedly said in a statement that the strike was carried out in the Shahr-e-Safa district of southern Zabul.
“Weapons and explosive devices were also destroyed,” the statement is said to have read.
No reference was made as to who carried out the strike.
Tolo News did not explicitly give a date for this strike, so we have recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure that Tolo News are referring to one of the confirmed US strikes on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Tolo News
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 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
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