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 5
Three 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
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
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
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
Seven 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 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
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
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 strike summary
A US drone strike killed five civilians in Khost province, the New York Times reported.
A woman killed had just given birth in southeast Afghanistan - her three relatives and driver were also killed, according to Afghan officials and family members.
The strike was either late Friday or early Saturday, relatives told NYT.
One strike hit Khost province on November 29, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
The 25-year-old, Malana, had just given birth to her second child at home - when her health started to deteriorate, relatives rushed her to the hospital. It was on their way back that their vehicle was hit by the strike.
A relative told NYT that the newborn baby was not in the car and was safe at home.
The United States military command in Afghanistan confirmed a strike in Khost, saying that three Taliban fighters had been killed. But the military said the strike occurred on Thursday, Nov. 28, NYT reported.
“We are aware of the allegations of civilian casualties and working with local authorities to determine the veracity of these claims,” Col. Sonny Leggett, a military spokesman, said.
Tolo News reported that six members of a family were killed in a drone strike in Khost on this day - it is unclear whether they were referring to the same incident.
Members of the Khost provincial council reportedly said that the strike targeted a civilian home in Alisher district.
A spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan confirmed an airstrike in Khost in Terazai district that “targeted three Taliban fighters.” The spokesman added “we are aware of the allegations of civilian casualties” and said they are “working with local authorities to determine the veracity of these claims. “
Meanwhile, former President Hamid Karzai in a tweet condemned the strike.
“The latest US drone attack in Khost, which killed six members of a family, was atrocious and highly condemnable. This is clear and blatant violence against the Afghan people. I once again call on all sides to focus entirely on the peace process,” Karzai tweeted.
The Kabul offices of the US forces recognised the strike, Pajhwok news reported - though again not confirming whether US or Afghan forces conducted it, saying that three Taliban fighters were killed.
Haidar Jan Naeemzai, a Kuchi representative in Wolesi Jirga named the five civilian victims for Pajhwok as: Malalai, daughter of Noorajan, Malano, daughter of Gulchi, Noor Bibi, daughter of Khatol, Noor Jan, son of Mangoee, and driver Mullah Nabi, son of Eid Gul.
Jan Mir Zazai, a member of the provincial council, verified four members of a family were killed in the tragic incident. He added the dead included three women and a man, as well as the driver, with possible links to the Taliban.
They were on their way back from the al Madina private clinic, according to Pajhwok's account.
Aminullah, in charge of the clinic, told Pajhwok that a pregnant woman was brought in by her father-in-law at 9:45pm. Her sister, a nine year old and their driver was also there. They were discharged around 11:30pm local time.
Gul Marjan, Kochi council head, confirmed that three women, two men and the baby were killed when heading home from a local hospital.
“We are aware of the allegations of civilian casualties and working with local authorities to determine the veracity of these claims,” the US military in Afghanistan said in a statement.
A local lawmaker from Khost, Janmir Zazai, told The Washington Post the airstrike hit a vehicle, but he was unaware of the number of people killed.
We will contact Resolute Support for their assessment of civilian harm in this incident.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Khost province
- References: The New York Times Afghan War Casualty Report, Tolo News, New York Times, Pajhwok Afghan News, Washington Post, 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
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
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
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 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 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 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
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
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 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 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.
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
A local Taliban leader was killed in a NATO-led coalition drone strike in Kapisa province, Xinhua reported.
Shayeq Shurash, a provincial police spokesman told Xinhua that the strike took place around 7pm, targeting a Taliban hideout in the Alasay district of Kapisa.
Qari Nazar Mohammed was left dead in the strike.
Xinhua are likely referring to the US' role in the NATO coalition, in which they are the only known country to be flying armed drones.
US Forces - Afghanistan did not record any strikes in Kapisa on this day in their monthly release of strike data.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Alasay district, Kapisa province
- References: Xinhua, US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Three Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike in Takhar province, the New York Times reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
A Taliban attack had killed eight soldiers and wounded 13 others in the centre of Darqud district.
The Taliban had reportedly blocked the road for reinforcements amid the three hours of fighting, before ground forces received air support.
US Forces - Afghanistan did not record any strikes in Takhar province on this day in their monthly release of strike data.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Darqud district, Takhar province
- References: The 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
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 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
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 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
Seven 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 Kandahar province killed one Taliban fighter, 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 Maiwand district.
The Ministry of Defence, however, said that five Taliban fighters were killed and three injured.
Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for this strike, but reported on it the day of the confirmed US strike.
- 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.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Helmand on this day. An airstrike in Helmand province killed between two and eight Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike in Marjah district killed two fighters, though the Ministry of Defence reportedly said that the the strike killed eight.
A motorcycle, some weapons and munitions were also reportedly destroyed.
Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for this strike, so we have recorded it as the date that it was reported on.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand 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
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
Eight 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
Three strikes hit Laghman province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Laghman on this day.
Eight Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike in Laghman province, 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 Alingar district over the past 24 hours. It is therefore not clear whether the strike was on November 26 or 25.
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 Laghman 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 a confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Laghman province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
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. Three airstrikes in southern Helmand province killed seven 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 strikes in the Marjah and Lashkar Gah districts and Nawah-Ye Barekzai districts over the past 24 hours. It is therefore not clear whether the strike was on November 26 or 25.
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 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 were referring to a confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Helmand 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
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 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 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
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
Thirteen 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
Three strikes hit Ghazni province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Ghazni around this time.
One Taliban fighter was killed in an airstrike in Ghazni province, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
The security forces carried out the strike in the Deh Yak district over the past 24 hours, military officials reportedly said. We therefore cannot be sure whether the strike was on November 26 or 25.
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 in Ghazni on November 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 a confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Ghazni 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
Four strikes 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
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