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 10
Three 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. An airstrike in the killed six Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the security forces carried out the strike in the Tarnek wa Jaldak district over the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure if the incident was on November 3 or November 2.
US Forces - Afghanistan only reported strikes on November 2 in their monthly release of strike data.
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 a confirmed US strike on this day.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Three strikes hit Uruzgan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Uruzgan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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
Two strikes hit Logar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit 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
Two strikes hit Herat province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Herat province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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 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 Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Three strikes hit 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
Three 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
Two strikes hit Herat province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Herat province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
One strike hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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 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 Baghlan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Baghlan on this day. An airstrike in the province killed 13 Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the security forces carried out the strike in the capital Pul e Khumri over the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure if the incident was on November 1 or October 31.
US Forces - Afghanistan recorded strikes in Baghlan on both of these days in their monthly releases of strike data.
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 were referring to a confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Baghlan 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 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 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
Three 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
Two strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Two strikes hit 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 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
Two strikes hit Balkh province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Balkh province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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
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 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 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
Six strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Helmand on this day. 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 security forces carried out the strike in the Nahr e Saraj district over the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure if the incident was on October 30 or 29.
US Forces - Afghanistan recorded strikes in Helmand on both of these days 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 a confirmed US strike.
While responsibility was placed with the security forces, we cannot rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Two strikes hit Ghor province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Ghor on this day. Twenty Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike in the province, the New York Times reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
The strike was in response to the Taliban attacking a security outpost in in the village of Kasi in Firozkoh City, the provincial capital.
No reference was made as to who conducted the strike.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure that NYT are referring to a confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghor province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, New York Times Afghan War Casualty Report
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
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. 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 security forces carried out the strike in the Arghandab district over the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure if the incident was on October 30 or 29.
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 only recorded strikes on October 29 in Zabul 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 a confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Four strikes hit Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Nangarhar around this time. An airstrike in the province killed 5 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 security forces carried out the strike in the Deh Bala district over the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure if the incident was on October 30 or 29.
US Forces - Afghanistan only recorded strikes in Nangarhar on October 29 in their monthly release of strike data.
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 is referring to a confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, 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
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.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Kandahar 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 security forces carried out the strike in the Spin Boldak district over the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure if the incident was on October 29 or 28.
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 Kandahar on both October 29 and 28 in their monthly release of strike data.
Without further locational information from US Forces - Afghanistan, we cannot be sure if Khaama Press are referring to one of the confirmed US strikes.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Kandahar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Four strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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 Daykundi province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Daykundi on this day. An airstrike in the province killed 6 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 Gizab district over the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure if the incident was on October 29 or 28.
US Forces - Afghanistan recorded strikes in Daykundi on both of these days 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 a confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Daykundi province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summarry, Khaama Press
Drone strikes in Nangarhar province killed five members of Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State, Xinhua reported - though it was not explicit as to whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
The strikes hit the Haska Mina and Mohmandara districts of eastern Nangarhar province, according to a provincial government report seen by Xinhua.
Four more were said to have been injured.
While responsibility was placed with the security forces, we cannot rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
The US are also the only country known to be flying armed drones in Afghanistan.
US Forces - Afghanistan did not record any strikes in Nangarhar on this day in their monthly release of strike data.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Haska Mina & Mohmandara districts, Nangarhar province
- References: Xinhua
Two strikes hit Paktia province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Paktia on this day. A Taliban fighter was 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 that the strike was carried out in the Sayyid Karam district over the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure if the incident was on October 28 or 27.
US Forces - Afghanistan only reported strikes in Paktia 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 one of the confirmed US strikes.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktia province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
One strike hit Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Nangarhar on this day. Twelve fighters from Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State were killed in airstrikes in Nangarhar province, 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 Deh Bala and Achin districts of Nangarhar over the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure if the incidents were on October 28 or 27.
It is unclear how many died in each strike.
US Forces - Afghanistan reported strikes on October 28 and 27 in Nangarhar 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 strikes in Nangarhar over these days.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, 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
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 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
Four 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
Two strikes hit Helmand province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Helmand on this day. Airstrikes in the province killed five Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
A small cache of weapons was also said to have been destroyed.
Military officials reportedly said that the strikes were carried out in the Nahr e Saraj and Lashkar Gah districts over the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure if the incidents took place on October 28 or 27.
US Forces - Afghanistan recorded strikes in Helmand on both of these days 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.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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