Deadly Impact: Assessing The Human Toll Of The Mother Of All Bombs In Afghanistan

The US bombing of IS in Afghanistan in 2017, using a weapon known as the mother of all bombs or MOAB, killed dozens of Islamic State (IS) group militants and destroyed their base. The death toll was initially reported as 36 but increased over the following days as reconnaissance units investigated the site. The final death toll is unclear, with reports ranging from 90 to 96 IS fighters killed. No civilians were reported to have been killed in the explosion, although one resident told the BBC that some homes were destroyed.

The death toll of IS fighters was between 36 and 96

The death toll of IS fighters after the US dropped a MOAB bomb in Afghanistan in 2017 was initially reported as 36. However, the death toll estimates varied in the days following the strike, with some sources reporting 90, 92, 94, and 96 deaths.

The MOAB (Mother Of All Bombs) was dropped on the IS cave and tunnel system in the Achin district of Nangarhar province, eastern Afghanistan, near the border with Pakistan. The strike was part of Operation Hamza, a joint US-Afghan government operation to eradicate the Islamic State from its stronghold in the region.

The initial death toll of 36 IS fighters was reported by Afghan officials on the day after the strike. However, this number increased as reconnaissance units investigated the site. On 14 April, a local government spokesman and police commander told Afghan media that the death toll had risen to 82 militants.

The Achin district governor, Ismail Shinwari, reported that security forces had recovered 92 bodies, none of whom were civilians. This number was also reported by the Afghan defence ministry spokesman, Mohammad Radmanesh, who stated that around 100 bodies had been recovered from the tunnels.

On 15 April, Nangarhar provincial spokesman Attaullah Khogiani reported that the death toll had jumped to 94 IS fighters, including four commanders. This number was also reported by Stars and Stripes, who cited an Afghan army official.

The highest death toll estimate of 96 IS fighters was reported by a senior Afghan security official on 18 April. This number included 13 major commanders.

The variation in the death toll estimates can be attributed to the difficulty in accessing the target area and recovering bodies from the tunnel complex. The US military declined to release an official casualty toll and stated that they were still conducting their assessment.

No civilians were harmed, according to officials

The US military strike in Afghanistan, using a weapon known as the "mother of all bombs" or MOAB, killed dozens of Islamic State (IS) group militants. The bomb was deployed to destroy a network of tunnels and bunkers used by IS militants in the Achin district in Nangarhar province.

No civilians were harmed in the explosion, according to officials. The Chief Executive of Afghanistan, Abdullah Abdullah, stated that the attack was coordinated with the Afghan government and that great care had been taken to avoid civilian casualties. Gen John Nicholson, commander of US forces in Afghanistan, affirmed that there was no evidence of civilian casualties and no reports of such incidents.

The Afghan defence ministry also asserted that no civilians were affected by the blast. The US military emphasised that the MOAB was used purely on tactical grounds, stating that it was "the right weapon against the right target". The strike targeted fortified underground tunnels used by IS to stage attacks on government forces.

The absence of civilian casualties in the MOAB strike was further supported by the district governor of Achin, Ismail Shinwari, who confirmed that the security forces had recovered bodies, none of which were civilians. Additionally, a resident close to the blast site reported that while some homes were destroyed, no civilians were present in the area since the start of the anti-IS operation.

While the strike successfully targeted IS militants, the use of such a powerful weapon has raised concerns. Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack, stating that it represented an "inhuman and most brutal misuse of our country as a testing ground for new and dangerous weapons". Similarly, the Afghan ambassador to Pakistan, Omar Zakhilwal, characterised the airstrike as "reprehensible and counterproductive".

The MOAB was the largest non-nuclear bomb used in combat by the US

The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, or MOAB, is a large-yield bomb developed for the US military. It was first tested in 2003 and was said to be the most powerful non-nuclear weapon in the American arsenal at the time.

The MOAB was first used in combat in 2017 during an airstrike in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province. The target was a network of tunnels and bunkers used by Islamic State militants. The bomb was dropped from a US Air Force Lockheed MC-130 aircraft and detonated at an altitude of around 2,000 metres.

The strike killed dozens of Islamic State fighters, with estimates ranging from 36 to 96 militants. The death toll was confirmed by local officials, who stated that there were no civilian casualties. The use of the MOAB was part of a joint US-Afghan operation to eliminate the Islamic State's presence in the region.

The MOAB is not a penetrator weapon and is designed for soft to medium surface targets, particularly in contained environments such as canyons or cave systems. Its primary effect is a massive blast wave, created by 18,000 pounds of TNT, which can extend for a mile in every direction. The bomb's thin aluminium casing is designed to burst on impact, maximising the blast radius.

The bomb was dropped by an MC-130 transport plane

The bomb that killed 90 Islamic State (IS) fighters in Afghanistan was dropped by a MC-130 transport plane. The MC-130 is a highly modified version of the C-130 Hercules transport plane, operated by the USAF Special Operations. The MC-130 has been used to support special-operations missions all over the world and has been a part of every major and minor US military campaign since the Vietnam War.

The MC-130 is a versatile aircraft that can accomplish a wide range of special-operations missions. It is capable of flying at low altitudes in adverse weather conditions, using its terrain-following, terrain-avoidance radar system. This allows the aircraft to fly nap-of-the-earth routes to avoid detection from enemy radars and anti-aircraft systems. The MC-130 is also equipped with advanced countermeasure systems, such as flare launchers and directional infrared countermeasures, to protect against both air-to-air and surface-to-air heat-seeking missiles.

The MC-130 has a length of 29.3m, a wingspan of 39.7m, and a height of 11.9m. It is powered by four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprop engines, which provide a maximum power output of 3,458kW. The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 74,389kg and can fly at a maximum altitude of 28,000ft with a payload of 19,050kg. The MC-130 has a range of 4,800km and can travel 3,000 miles without refueling.

The MC-130 is typically operated by a crew of five, including two pilots, one combat systems officer, and two loadmasters. The cockpit features advanced digital avionics, including head-up and multifunctional colour liquid crystal displays for flight control and navigation. The aircraft also has a combat systems operator station and auxiliary operator consoles. The MC-130's navigation systems include dual global positioning systems and an inertial navigation system, allowing the crew to navigate to any spot on the globe.

The MC-130 is equipped with an advanced cargo-handling system and a universal air refueling receptacle slipway installation, which allows it to receive fuel in-flight from tanker aircraft such as the KC-135 and KC-10. The MC-130 can also perform in-flight refueling of tactical aircraft and helicopters, as well as forward-area ground refueling. It can carry a payload of up to 164,000 pounds and has been used for infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces.

The MC-130 has played a crucial role in supporting special-operations units and has been a key asset in the US military's arsenal.

The strike was coordinated with Afghan soldiers, special forces, and tribal elders

The strike was part of Operation Hamza, a joint US-Afghan government operation to "flush" the Islamic State from its stronghold in eastern Afghanistan. Afghan National Army Commandos had attempted to penetrate the area for weeks before the bombing but were unsuccessful due to challenging terrain and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by Islamic State militants.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the district chief of Achin, Ismail Shinwari, coordinated closely with Afghan soldiers and special forces. Tribal elders were also informed to ensure the evacuation of civilians. This coordination was essential to the success of the operation and the protection of innocent lives.

Following the strike, US and Afghan forces conducted clearing operations and additional airstrikes in the area to assess the damage and ensure the Islamic State militants did not regain a foothold. This coordinated response demonstrated the strong collaboration between the two nations' military forces and their commitment to eliminating the terrorist threat posed by the Islamic State.

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