Us Airstrikes In Afghanistan: A Decade Of Devastation

The US has conducted thousands of airstrikes in Afghanistan since 2001, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties. From 2016 to 2020, there were 3,977 civilian casualties from airstrikes, including 1,598 children. The US has been widely criticised for its conduct during the war in Afghanistan, particularly regarding civilian casualties resulting from airstrikes. In 2017, the US military relaxed its rules of engagement for airstrikes, leading to a dramatic increase in civilian deaths.

The number of civilian casualties caused by US airstrikes in Afghanistan

The US war in Afghanistan has had devastating consequences for civilians. The US military's 2017 decision to relax its rules of engagement for airstrikes in Afghanistan, allowing US forces to target anti-government forces without being in direct contact with them, resulted in a dramatic increase in civilian casualties.

From the last year of the Obama administration to the last full year of recorded data during the Trump administration, the number of civilians killed by US-led airstrikes in Afghanistan increased by 330%. In 2019 alone, airstrikes killed 700 civilians—more civilians than in any other year since the beginning of the war in 2001 and 2002. Overall, between 2016 and 2019, 1,357 civilians were killed in airstrikes by international forces, while a further 461 died due to air attacks carried out by the Afghan Air Force (AAF).

The AAF has also caused significant civilian casualties. In the first six months of 2020, the AAF killed 86 Afghan civilians and injured 103, with this figure nearly doubling in the following three months, when 70 civilians were killed and 90 injured. The AAF's increased combat missions against the Taliban have inflicted heavy casualties on civilians.

The exact number of civilian casualties is difficult to determine, as journalists, conflict researchers, and international monitors have faced restrictions in reporting on the conflict. However, it is widely acknowledged that the reporting of casualty figures only captures a partial picture.

The US military has disputed claims of high civilian casualties, refuting a report by Brown University's Costs of War project as "one-sided" and relying on "disputed data". The US military has also emphasised the Taliban's use of car bombs, IEDs, rockets, and targeted killings, which have resulted in civilian casualties.

Despite the debate over the exact numbers, it is clear that US airstrikes in Afghanistan have resulted in significant civilian casualties, with the relaxation of rules of engagement and the intensification of the air war contributing to a sharp increase in civilian deaths and injuries.

The number of US drone strikes in Afghanistan

Since 2001, the US government has conducted at least 13,074 airstrikes in Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 4,138 people, including 310 civilians and 73 children. The number of US drone strikes in Afghanistan has varied over the years, with estimates suggesting that drone strikes increased four to five times during the Trump administration compared to the Obama administration.

The impact of US drone strikes in Afghanistan has been significant, with civilian casualties and infrastructure damage occurring as a result. In 2018, for instance, US-led international forces caused 64% of civilian casualties from airstrikes, with 57% of child casualties attributed to them. The rules of engagement for airstrikes were relaxed in 2017, resulting in a dramatic increase in civilian casualties.

The US drone strike on 29 August 2021, which killed ten civilians, including an aid worker and seven children, is a notable example of the tragic consequences of such strikes. This incident led to the US military acknowledging their mistake and offering compensation to the families of those killed.

The US drone strike program in Afghanistan has faced criticism and scrutiny due to the number of civilian casualties. Amnesty International USA has questioned the legality of drone attacks, and there have been calls for greater accountability and transparency in reporting civilian deaths and injuries caused by airstrikes.

The Afghan Air Force (AAF) has also conducted at least 41 strike-capable operations since June 2016, contributing to the overall number of airstrikes and their impact on the country.

The rules of engagement for US airstrikes in Afghanistan

Protection of Civilians:

The US rules of engagement prioritise the protection of Afghan civilians. This is in line with the counterinsurgency strategy, which aims to win the "hearts and minds" of the local population. US troops are directed to exercise restraint and only engage when they are certain of their targets to avoid harming civilians. This has been a challenging dilemma for troops, who must make split-second decisions between neutralising enemies and risking civilian lives.

Target Identification and Threat Assessment:

US forces are authorised to employ airpower when they can identify targets with reasonable certainty. The decision to engage rests on identifying hostile actors and assessing the threat they pose to US forces, Afghan partners, or the civilian population. The presence of weapons or hostile actions, such as planting bombs, are considered critical factors in target identification.

Proximity Requirement:

Previously, US rules of engagement included a proximity requirement, which mandated that airstrikes could only be conducted when US or allied forces were in close proximity to enemy forces. This restriction was imposed to minimise the risk of civilian casualties. However, in 2017, the Trump administration relaxed this rule, allowing airstrikes to be carried out without the need for proximity to enemy forces.

Dynamic vs Deliberate Targeting:

The US Air Force distinguishes between two types of targeting: deliberate and dynamic. Deliberate targeting involves selecting strategic locations in advance, typically 36-40 hours before an attack. Dynamic targeting, on the other hand, is more fluid and can include unplanned or self-defensive strikes. Dynamic strikes are often executed within a reduced timeframe and are more likely to occur in populated areas, increasing the risk of civilian casualties.

Non-Combatant Value (NCV):

The NCV is the maximum number of civilians that can be put at risk without seeking further approval. This value varies depending on the context, including the country, region, environment, and target. For example, in urban areas, the NCV is often higher, accepting a greater risk of civilian casualties.

Warning to Civilians:

When circumstances permit, US forces are directed to provide sufficient warning to civilians who may be impacted by an airstrike. However, this warning may be circumvented in cases where strategic military manoeuvres necessitate the element of surprise.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL):

The US rules of engagement are expected to comply with IHL, which includes the principles of distinction, precaution, and proportionality. While the US generally adheres to these principles, there have been instances where airstrikes have resulted in civilian casualties, raising questions about compliance with IHL.

Accountability and Transparency:

There have been concerns about the transparency and accountability of US airstrikes, particularly in coalition operations. The US has been criticised for not publishing detailed reports on civilian casualties and for obscuring the responsible state party in coalition strikes. This lack of transparency makes it challenging to hold the US and its allies accountable for civilian harm.

The impact of US airstrikes on the infrastructure in Afghanistan

The US airstrikes in Afghanistan have had a devastating impact on the country's infrastructure. From 2011 to 2021, there were almost 32,000 civilian casualties from explosive violence, with civilians making up eight out of ten people harmed when weapons were used in towns and cities.

In 2017, the US military relaxed its rules of engagement for airstrikes in Afghanistan, resulting in a dramatic increase in civilian casualties. The number of civilians killed by US-led airstrikes increased by 330% from the last year of the Obama administration to the final full year of recorded data under Trump. This relaxation of rules also allowed the US to strike Taliban targets without being in proximity to NATO or Afghan forces, and permitted more US operatives to authorise airstrikes.

The consequences of this policy change were severe. In 2018, the US dropped more weapons on Afghanistan than at the height of their presence in 2011—at a rate of more than 20 a day. This resulted in the deadliest year of airstrikes for children on record, with 492 child casualties. In one tragic incident in July 2018, a US airstrike on a residential compound in Kunduz province killed 14 women and children from the same family.

Overall, between 2016 and 2020, there were 3,977 civilian casualties from airstrikes, with 2,122 civilians killed and 1,855 injured. Of these, 1,598 were children, with 785 killed and 813 injured.

The impact of airstrikes extended beyond direct casualties, causing significant damage to civilian infrastructure. Explosive weapons destroyed bridges, roads, and communications, hindering local authorities' and international organisations' ability to rebuild and reconnect transport and communication links. The lack of infrastructure development, combined with the challenges of operating during pitched battles, severely limited access to educational and healthcare facilities in the affected regions.

The healthcare system in Afghanistan was already struggling due to the difficulties of building and maintaining hospitals and training medical staff during the conflict. The situation was further exacerbated by hospitals becoming military targets. For example, in 2015, a US helicopter gunship fired on a hospital run by Médecins Sans Frontières in Kunduz province, killing 42 people and injuring 37.

The environmental consequences of the airstrikes were also significant. The use of burn pits by US soldiers in Helmand province contaminated the environment and exposed Afghans to toxic smoke, causing severe health issues. Additionally, the soil and water used for farming were affected by fighting and explosive refuse, contributing to the flourishing drug trade as opium poppies were one of the few stable crops.

The US airstrikes also left a legacy of unexploded ordnance and landmines, which continued to kill, injure, and maim civilians long after the conflict. Efforts to clear explosive hazards have been inadequate, and the US should invest significantly more funds in this area.

The number of US airstrikes in Afghanistan compared to Afghan Air Force strikes

Since 2001, the US government has conducted at least 13,074 airstrikes in Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 4,138 people, including 310 civilians and 73 children. During the same period, the Afghan Air Force (AAF) has carried out at least 41 strike-capable operations. While the number of US airstrikes in Afghanistan is significantly higher than that of the AAF, the impact of both forces' operations on civilian populations has been devastating.

The US airstrikes in Afghanistan began during the administration of President George W. Bush and intensified under President Donald Trump, with drone strikes increasing four to five times compared to the previous administration of Barack Obama. In 2017, the US military relaxed its rules of engagement for airstrikes, resulting in a dramatic increase in civilian casualties. This led to international condemnation and criticism of the legality of drone attacks.

The AAF, on the other hand, has a smaller number of strike-capable operations but has also been implicated in causing civilian casualties. In 2018 and 2019, the AAF was responsible for more overall civilian casualties than the US, with their airstrikes tripling in the first six months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The AAF's operations have raised concerns about the risk to civilians, especially as they take the lead on airstrikes in the ongoing conflict.

The high number of civilian casualties, including children, has had devastating consequences for Afghan communities. Entire families have been wiped out, and those who survive are left with physical and psychological trauma. The destruction of homes, schools, and infrastructure has displaced millions and severely impacted access to education, healthcare, and basic necessities.

As the US withdraws its troops from Afghanistan, the AAF, established and trained with US support, is now at the forefront of the conflict. While the US aims to distance itself from the harm caused by airstrikes, the risk to civilians remains and may even worsen as the AAF continues its offensive against the Taliban.

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