The following report compiles all significant security incidents confirmed by New York Times reporters throughout Afghanistan for the month. It is necessarily incomplete as many local officials refuse to confirm casualty information. The report includes government claims of insurgent casualty figures, but in most cases these cannot be independently verified by The Times. Similarly, the reports do not include Taliban claims for their attacks on the government unless they can be verified. Both sides routinely inflate casualty totals for their opponents.

Dec. 20-26, 2019

At least 48 pro-government forces and 20 civilians were killed in Afghanistan over the past week. The deadliest attack took place in Balkh District, where the Taliban detonated a Humvee full of explosives at a military base in the Pul-e-Bangala area, killing Afghan 20 security forces and wounding six others. Earlier in the week, another 16 Afghan soldiers were killed in an insider attack after two soldiers helped Taliban insurgents enter a military base in Dawlat Abad District. The insurgents allegedly poisoned the soldiers and then burned the bodies. In Kunduz, an American Special Forces soldier was killed, bringing to 20 the number of U.S. troops who have died during combat operations this year.

Dec. 26 Kandahar Province: one soldier killed

In Kandahar City, unknown gunmen opened fire on two men working for a special task force, killing one and injuring the other. The attackers managed to escape and police have opened an investigation.

Dec. 26 Uruzgan Province: three civilians killed

In Tirin Kot, the provincial capital, a motorcycle laden with explosives detonated near a vehicle belonging to the health director of Uruzgan, killing three civilians, including a mother and her son, and injuring the head of the health department and two of his employees.

Dec. 26 Balkh Province: 20 security forces killed

A Humvee full of explosives exploded at a military base in the Pul-e-Bangala area of Balkh District, killing 20 security forces, including one soldier and nine police officers, and wounding six additional soldiers.