Civilians Killed in Afghan Airstrike After Taliban Forces Road Destruction - Balkh (2020)

Incident
Date
May 12, 2020
Year of incident
2020
Province of incident
Balkh: Balkh
District geolocation of incident

Latitude: 36.7552664690114

Longitude: 66.896803319564

District geolocation of incident (linked Incident)
Balkh
Town/Village
Goldan area, Balkh District, Balkh Province
Types of incident
  • Air Strikes
  • Clash
Conflict parties
  • Afghan National Army (ANA)
  • Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF)
  • Afghan National Police (ANP)
  • Haqqani Network (HN)
  • National Directorate of Security (NDS)
  • Taliban
  • Taliban Militants
Alleged types of crimes
  • Other Crimes : Attacking civilian objects
  • Other Crimes : Attacking civilians
  • Other Crimes : Causing serious bodily or mental harm
  • Other Crimes : Compelling participation in military operations
  • Other Crimes : Crimes against persons requiring particular protection
  • Other Crimes : Destruction and appropriation of property
  • Other Crimes : Excessive incidental death, injury, or damage
  • Other Crimes : Killing
  • Other Crimes : Murder
  • Other Crimes : Using protected persons as shields
Regime in place
  • Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Summary of incident

On 12 May 2020, Afghan security forces were planning to launch a military operation in Balkh District, but the Taliban forced civilians in the district to destroy a main road in the Goldan area, preventing government forces from advancing. Afghan air forces then targeted those who were obstructing the road, killing nine civilians and wounding seven others.

Source_1

AHRDO Incident Report

Source_2

NYT

No of victims involved
16