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 8
One strike hit Sar e Pul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Sar e Pul at this time. Airstrikes were conducted during clashes between security forces and Taliban fighters in Sar e Pul province, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Two "key" Taliban commanders, Qari Gulbuddin and Ahmad Mala, were among the 22 killed in the Sayad district. Seven other Taliban fighters were injured.
It is not clear whether the death toll comes from the airstrikes alone, or a combination of the strikes and wider clashes.
The 209th Shaheen Corps of the Afghan military reportedly confirmed the security forces carrying out the strikes in a statement.
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.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Sar e Pul 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
Ten 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 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
Four strikes hit Baghlan province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Baghlan at this time. An airstrike in the province killed a 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 in the Baghlan e Jadid district.
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: Baghlan province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
Airstrikes in Paktia province killed four Taliban fighters, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that one strike was in the Jaji district and killed two fighters, while the other was in the Ahmad Khel district and killed a further two.
Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for this strike so we have recorded it as the date it was reported on.
US Forces - Afghanistan did not record any strikes in Paktia on this day in their monthly release of strike data.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Jaji & Ahmad Khel districts, Paktia province
- References: Khaama Press, 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
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. 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 Zurmat district, over the past 24 hours. We therefore do not know whether the strike was on November 11 or 10.
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 Paktia 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: Paktia province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
Five strikes hit Logar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Logar around this time.
An airstrike in Logar 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 strike was in the Pul e Alam 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 is referring to a confirmed US strike.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
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
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
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
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
US airstrikes targeted an Afghan National Army post in Logar province, killing four soldiers and wounding six others, the New York Times reported.
The post is in the Khader area of Pul e Alam, the provincial capital.
We are currently unable to record this in our database of confirmed US strikes due to vague sourcing.
- Type of strike: Possible US strike
- Location: Khader area, Pul e Alam, Logar province
- References: New York Times Afghan War Casualty Report
An airstrike in Helmand 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 Nad Ali district, over the past 24 hours. We therefore do not know whether the strike was on November 11 or 10.
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: Possible US strike
- Location: Nad Ali district, Helmand province
- References: Khaama Press
An airstrike in Kandahar province killed nine 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 Maruf district, over the past 24 hours. We therefore do not know whether the strike was on November 11 or 10.
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: Possible US strike
- Location: Zurmat district, Paktia province
- References: Khaama Press
An airstrike in Zabul 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 security forces carried out the strike in the Shinkai district, over the past 24 hours. We therefore do not know whether the strike was on November 11 or 10.
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: Possible US strike
- Location: Shinkai district, Zabul province
- References: Khaama Press
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 Wardak province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of a strike in Wardak on this day. An airstrike in the province killed four 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 in the Chak e Wardak district.
Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for this strike, but reported on it the day after this 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
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
Twelve 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 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
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
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 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 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
Five strikes hit Zabul province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Zabul province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
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
Three strikes hit Paktika province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
No further details were given. To see more about the release of this data, click here.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Paktika province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary
Five strikes hit Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Nangarhar on this day. A US airstrike in the province killed six 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 in the Achin district.
An airstrike in Nangarhar province killed two fighters from Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State, Khaama Press separately reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
Military officials reportedly said that the strike was in the Deh Bala district.
Khaama Press did not explicitly give a date for these strikes, but reported on them the day of 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.
- Type of strike: US air or drone strike
- Location: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, Khaama Press
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 on this day. An airstrike in the province killed four Taliban fighters, including a commander who had recently killed three judges, Khaama Press reported - though it was not clear whether US or Afghan forces were responsible.
A statement released by the Ministry of Defense reportedly said that the security forces carried out the strike at around 6pm local time in the Mohammad Agha district.
Waisuddin was one of the key commanders of Taliban who had killed three judges of the Appellate Court of Paktiya in Logar province three days ago, the defense ministry added.
The three judges were on their way from Paktiya to Kabul when the Taliban militants stopped them in Logar and murdered them.
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: Logar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press
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
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
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
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 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 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
Seven 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
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
Three 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
Five strikes hit Nangarhar province on this day, according to data from US Forces - Afghanistan.
There had been previous reports of strikes in Nangarhar on this day. An airstrike in the province killed 11 fighters of 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 hit the Deh Bala district over the past 24 hours. We therefore cannot be sure whether it was conducted on November 8 or 7.
While responsibility was placed with the security forces, we cannot rule out US involvement as the security forces often call in US air support.
There was also a separate Khaama Press report from Nangarhar on this day. An airstrike in the Sherzad district of Nangarhar destroyed a car bomb from Afghanistan's branch of the Islamic State.
It was not clear whether US or Afghan forces conducted the strike.
No further details were known.
US Forces - Afghanistan recorded strikes 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: Nangarhar province
- References: US Forces - Afghanistan strike summary, Khaama Press, 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 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
Comments