2015 in Afghanistan

none 2015 The following events happened in Afghanistan in the year 2015. Incumbents President: Ashraf Ghani Chief Executive Officer: Abdullah Abdullah Chief Justice: Abdul Salam Azimi Events January January 5 – A suicide car bomber targets the headquarters of the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan in Kabul, killing one person and injuring five. The Taliban claim responsibility.https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/afghan-official-offers-details-years-eve-deaths-27999599 Suicide Bomber Hits European Police in Kabul; 1 Dead ABC News 5 January 2015 5 January 2015 January 14 – A U.S. drone strike kills at least two al-Qaeda militants and accidentally kills two hostages: Warren Weinstein and Giovanni Lo Porto.https://edition.cnn.com/2015/04/23/politics/white-house-hostages-killed/index.html U.S. drone strike accidentally killed 2 hostages CNN 24 April 2015 January 15 – Afghan security officials arrest five men in Kabul in relation to their suspected involvement in the 2014 Peshawar school massacre in Pakistan.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-15/five-men-arrested-for-pakistan-massacre-involvement/6018048 Five men arrested in Afghanistan over involvement in Pakistan school massacre ABC News 15 January 2015 16 January 2015 January 29 – Taliban insurgency Taliban attacks across Afghanistan kill 17 people.http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ac09f1ab3f0f48cf9e5fc326591d21d8/taliban-bomb-kills-4-attack-kills-11-afghanistan Suicide bomb at Afghan funeral for Taliban victims kills 16 29 January 2015 30 January 2015 1 February 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150201190721/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ac09f1ab3f0f48cf9e5fc326591d21d8/taliban-bomb-kills-4-attack-kills-11-afghanistan dead Three American contractors are killed at Hamid Karzai International Airport.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-29/three-u-s-contractors-said-killed-in-kabul-airport-shooting Three U.S. Contractors Said Killed in Kabul Airport Shooting Bloomberg.com 29 January 2015 30 January 2015 February February 3/4 – Afghan, US and NATO troops carried out a mission in Nangarhar province that captured 6 Taliban militants who were wanted for the 2014 Peshawar school massacre.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/02/12/u-s-forces-afghan-troops-arrest-taliban-militants-wanted-for-school-massacre/ U.S. forces, Afghan troops arrest Taliban militants wanted for school massacre Washington Post 12 February 2015 February 9 - A US Air Force drone strike in Helmand Province killed Mullah Abdul Rauf Khadim, deputy commander of ISIL-K, 5 other militants were killed in the strike.Afghanistan drone strike 'kills IS commander Abdul Rauf' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-31290147 BBC News 9 February 2015 24 February 2015 A drone strike in Afghanistan has killed a militant commander who recently swore allegiance to Islamic State (IS), officials say. The police chief of Helmand said that former Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Rauf had died in the strike. February 25 – At least 187 people are killed in avalanches in northeastern Afghanistan. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-31636599 Afghans in frantic search for avalanche survivors 2015-02-26 BBC News February 26 – A Taliban suicide bomb attack on a Turkish government vehicle in Kabul kills at least one person. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-31635709?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_breaking&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=news_central Kabul bomb hits Turkish embassy car 2015-02-26 BBC News March March 24 - During a visit to the US by Ghani and Abdullah, the US president announced that the US forces will remain at a level of about 9800 troops through 2015 and will not be drawn down to 5000 as had been originally planned. March 25 – The Afghan National Army kills twenty-nine insurgents and injures twenty-one others in a series of operations in Daikundi, Ghazni, and Parwan provinces. http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/18751-29-insurgents-killed-in-military-operations 29 Insurgents Killed In Military Operations 25 March 2015 28 March 2015 Tolonews https://web.archive.org/web/20150326234141/http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/18751-29-insurgents-killed-in-military-operations 2015-03-26 dead April April 18 - A major suicide bomb attack in Jalalabad killed more than 30 people and injured over 100 persons. A spokesman for the ISIL said it carried out the attack.First wave of IS attacks? Claim and denial over the Jalalabad bombs - Kate Clark and Borhan Osman, Afghanistan Analysts Network, 22 April 2015 April 24 - The Battle of Kunduz begins. May Suicide bombers attack the Park Palace guesthouse on 13 May 2015. Norwegian special forces from the Marinejegerkommandoen were central in saving 37 Australian hostages while they were in direct contact with the Australian ambassador in Kabul.Norske spesialsoldater i Afghanistan: – de vi slåss mot kjemper til døden http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/afghanistan/vg-moette-norske-spesialsoldater-i-afghanistan-de-vi-slaass-mot-kjemper-til-doeden/a/23917662/ live www.vg.no https://web.archive.org/web/20170215224140/http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/afghanistan/vg-moette-norske-spesialsoldater-i-afghanistan-de-vi-slaass-mot-kjemper-til-doeden/a/23917662/ 2017-02-15 Late May - Secret talks were held in the Chinese city of Urumqi between Afghanistan's peace envoy and representatives of the Taliban.Taliban and Afghan Peace Officials Have Secret Talks in China - NY Times, By EDWARD WONG and MUJIB MASHALMAY 25, 2015 The meeting was reportedly facilitated by Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI.Afghan Peace Envoy Met Taliban in Secret China Talks - Wall Street Journal, 24 May 2015 June 2015 Kabul Parliament attack - the Taliban use a car bomb, assault rifles and RPGs to attack the parliament, killing a woman and injuring 30 civilians. July July 7 - The third senior group commander of ISIL in Afghanistan; Shahidullah Shahid, was killed along with five other terrorists in a U.S. drone strike in Nangarhar province.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/07/top-isil-leader-afghanistan-killed-drone-strike-150709162540428.html Top ISIL leader in Afghanistan 'killed in drone strike' Aljazerra 9 July 2015 July 13 - At least 33 people have been killed in a suicide car bomb attack near Camp Chapman housing both Afghan and international troops in Khost province.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/07/25-people-dead-afghanistan-suicide-blast-150712180936407.html At least 33 people dead in Afghanistan suicide blast Aljazerra 13 July 2015 July 20 - Eight Afghan soldiers were killed and five wounded by friendly fire from a U.S. Apache helicopter in Logar province, south of Kabul during a battle with insurgents.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-33591124 Afghan troops 'killed by US friendly fire' in Logar BBC 20 July 2015https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/report-us-airstrike-kills-eight-afghan-soldiers/2015/07/20/ffd47a20-5bb9-4ef7-a561-a7590664b5f6_story.html Report: U.S. airstrike kills eight Afghan soldiers The Washington Post July 20, 2015 August August 7 - A series of bombings in Kabul kill 50 and wound 500. The attacks were claimed by the Taliban.Dozens killed in multiple attacks across Kabul https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/08/police-academy-kabul-hit-suicide-bomb-150807164338154.html Al Jazeera 7 August 2015 August 10 - A Taliban suicide bomber attacked a checkpoint near the entrance to the international airport in Kabul, killing five people.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34498998 Taliban attack UK military convoy in Afghan capital Kabul BBC 11 October 2015 August 22 - A Suicide attack on a NATO convoy in Kabul kills 12 and injures 66.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/11818898/Suicide-attack-on-Nato-convoy-in-Afghanistan-kills-12.html Suicide attack on Nato convoy in Afghanistan kills 12 The Telegraph 23 August 2015 August 26 - Two NATO soldiers were killed in an 'insider attack'in Helmand province.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/11824610/Two-Nato-soldiers-killed-in-Afghan-insider-attack.html Two Nato soldiers killed in Afghan 'insider attack' The Telegraph 26 August 2015 October October 1 to 4 - U.S. aircraft launched 22 airstrikes over four days on Taliban targets in Kunduz.https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/09/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-kunduz-doctors-without-borders-airstrike.html?_r=0 U.S. Role in Afghanistan Turns to Combat Again, With a Tragic Error the new York times 8 May 2016 October 2 - A U.S. C-130 aircraft crashed at Jalalabad airport in a non-hostile incident, killing 12.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/11905990/US-transport-plane-crashes-in-Afghanistan.html US transport plane crashes in Afghanistan killing 12 the telegraph October 2015 Crilly Rob October 3 - A USAF AC-130U gunship attacked the Kunduz Trauma Centre operated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) during the Battle of Kunduz, killing at least 30 people and injuring over 30. October 10 - An RAF Puma Mk2 helicopter crashed as it was landing at NATO training and support mission HQ in Kabul, killing five NATO personnel.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34501878 RAF helicopter crash: Five Nato staff die in Afghanistan BBC 12 October 2015 October 7 to 11 - In Shorabak district, Kandahar province, 200 U.S. and Afghan Special forces operators supported by 63 U.S. airstrikes destroyed 'probably the largest ever' AQIS training camp, killing Some 160 al-Qaeda terrorists.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/10/30/probably-the-largest-al-qaeda-training-camp-ever-destroyed-in-afghanistan/ 'Probably the largest' al-Qaeda training camp ever destroyed in Afghanistan the Washington post October 30, 2015 Also that day, the Taliban attacked a British military convoy in Kabul, there were no British casualties however seven Afghans were injured. October 13 - A U.S. F-16 was struck by insurgent small arms fire whilst flying over Paktia province, forcing it to return to base.https://news.yahoo.com/us-f-16-struck-enemy-fire-afghanistan-rare-091545439.html US F-16 struck by enemy fire in Afghanistan in rare attack Yahoo October 18, 2015 October 14 - U.S. and Afghan forces retake the city of Kunduz after the Taliban withdraws from the city.https://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/14/asia/afghanistan-taliban-kunduz-withdrawal/ Taliban exit Afghan city of Kunduz but claim mission was successful CNN 14 October 2015 October 15 - President Obama announces that he will be keeping 9,800 troops in Afghanistan through most of 2016 and 5,500 into 2017, rather than reducing the force to about 1,000 service members by the end of 2016. October 20 - The Taliban seize Babaji in Helmand province. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/11943684/Taliban-seize-British-stronghold-in-Helmand-as-security-unravels.html Taliban seize British stronghold in Helmand as security unravels the telegraph 20 October 2015 October 26 - The 2015 Hindu Kush earthquake of 7.5 magnitude hits north-east Afghanistan, with tremors reported in India and Pakistan, with at least 260 killed.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/11954666/Major-earthquake-strikes-northern-Afghanistan-live-updates.html 12 schoolgirls trampled to death in Afghanistan earthquake the telegraph 26 October 2015 November Unknown - The Taliban had surrounded police forces in the center of Marja District, threatening to take over that town and open the way for an assault on the provincial capital. But in a rescue mission by eight United States Special Operations soldiers leading a contingent of Afghan soldiers, kept the district in government controlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/14/world/asia/afghan-province-teetering-to-the-taliban-draws-in-extra-us-forces.html Afghan Province, Teetering to the Taliban, Draws In Extra U.S. Forces Jolly, David Shah, Taimoor The New York Times 13 December 2015 February 11, 2016 Unknown - A company of US Army Rangers and Afghan counter-terrorism forces, destroyed an al-Qaeda training camp in a “fierce fight” that lasted for several days in southeastern Afghanistan.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/01/26/the-u-s-was-supposed-to-leave-afghanistan-by-2017-now-it-might-take-decades/ The U.S. was supposed to leave Afghanistan by 2017. Now it might take decades. the Washington post January 26, 2016 November 25 - The Afghan army launched an operation to rescue hostages captured by the Taliban after their helicopter was shot down in Pashtun Kot district, Faryab province the previous day. Of the 21 people on board, three were killed the Taliban.https://news.yahoo.com/taliban-seize-15-soldiers-afghanistan-helicopter-crash-191744945.html Afghan army launches rescue bid after helicopter shot down yahoo news 25 November 2015 December Early December - NATO forces had carried out heavy airstrikes in several districts of Helmand, including Marja, Sangin and Babaji. In another joint operation, in Nawzad, NATO and Afghan forces conducted a rescue operation in which they freed 62 hostages of the Taliban, including police officers and civilians. December 5 - Throughout the night, a group of Rangers engaged in a firefight with enemy troops near the Afghan-Pakistan border; after about 5 a.m. their commander called for an extraction after they learned of a larger enemy group approaching. A helicopter from the 160th SOAR arrived and began and received heavy fire from the enemy, an AH-64 Apache helicopter from the 1st Battalion 101st Aviation Regiment escorting the helicopter, put their Apache directly between the U.S. troops, the helicopter and the enemy forces to draw the fire. As a result, the extraction was a success.http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2016/06/02/2-fort-campbell-soldiers-receive-distinguished-flying-cross/85304848/ 2 Fort Campbell soldiers receive Distinguished Flying Cross army times 2 June 2016 December 8 - The Taliban attack Kandahar Airport, killing 37 people including nine Taliban insurgents and 35 people were injured as well as one insurgent https://thediplomat.com/2015/12/taliban-attack-on-kandahar-airport-what-we-know/ Taliban Attack on Kandahar Airport: What We Know 10 December 2015 The Diplomat December 11 - Taliban militants attack the Spanish embassy in Kabul killing a total of nine people and perpetrators. December 17 - Green Berets from A Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group were accompanying a team of Afghan commandos in a clearing operation in Khan Neshin Valley in Helmand province; a firefight broke out whilst they were clearing several structures resulting in two Afghans killed and two Americans were wounded, at least five enemy combatants were killed, one green beret was awarded the Silver star for his actions in the engagement.https://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2016/05/06/green-berets-honored-silver-star-and-eight-other-valor-awards/83991024/ Green Berets honored with Silver Star and eight other valor awards army times 6 May 2016 December 21 - The Taliban carried out a suicide attack on a joint NATO and Afghan patrol near the Kandahar air base killing six US airmen. Six US soldiers killed in Afghanistan suicide attack http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/12/deadly-suicide-blast-reported-joint-afghan-patrol-151221110955593.html www.aljazeera.com 2015-12-22https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/01/06/pentagon-identifies-army-special-forces-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan/ Pentagon identifies Army Special Forces soldier killed in Afghanistan the Washington post 6 January 2016 December 25 - Ashraf Ghani & Narendra Modi, inaugurate new Parliament building of Afghanistanhttps://www.khaama.com/president-ghani-and-pm-modi-inaugurate-new-afghan-parliament-building-1866/ President Ghani and PM Modi inaugurate new Afghan parliament building The Khaama Press News Agency 25 December 2015 khaama And an earthquake hits Northern Afghanistan. References 2015 Afghanistan Category:Years of the 21st century in Afghanistan Category:2010s in Afghanistan Afghanistan