US Forces in Somalia

Library image of an armed Reaper drone, December 2019 (US Air Force/ Senior Sergeant Haley Stevens)

Belligerent
US Forces
Country
Somalia
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Strike Status
Strike Type
Infrastructure

Incident date

February 15, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM373

LOCATION

Bacadweyne, Mudug, Somalia

Between five and 70 alleged al-Shabaab militants were killed by declared US airstrikes and/or Somali government ground actions near Bacadweyne in the Mudug of central Galmudug state on February 15, 2023. AFRICOM released a statement on February 16th that “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army

Summary

First published
February 15, 2023
Last updated
May 25, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Known belligerent
US Forces
Geolocation
Town
Belligerents reported killed
5–70
View Incident

Incident date

February 10, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM372

LOCATION

Donlaye, Mudug, Somalia

Between 12 and 117 alleged al-Shabaab militants were killed by declared AFRICOM airstrikes and/or Somali National Army operations in Donlaye, near Amara town, on February 10, 2023. AFRICOM released a statement on February 12th that “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa

Summary

First published
February 10, 2023
Last updated
May 31, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
12–117
View Incident

Incident date

January 30, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM371-C

LOCATION

Between Fidow and Qura’ley, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

At least seven civilians, including three children, were killed by alleged US drone strikes between Fidow and Qura’ley villages on January 30, 2023. Shabelle Media Network spoke with the deputy Mahas district commissioner who said that seven villagers, including children, were killed by a strike believed to have been carried out by the US. Residents

Summary

First published
January 30, 2023
Last updated
May 25, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7
(3 children)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Named victims
7 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Village
View Incident

Incident date

January 25, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM368

LOCATION

Almiskad mountains, Bari, Somalia

An ISIS leader and 10 of his associates were killed by a declared US counterterrorism operation in the Almiskad mountains of Bari region, Somalia on January 25, 2023. One US service member was injured during the operation when a dog bit him. AFRICOM initially released a statement that “the U.S. military conducted a successful counterterrorism operation

Summary

First published
January 25, 2023
Last updated
May 25, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
ISIS - Somalia
Geolocation
Province/governorate
Belligerents reported killed
11
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

January 25, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM369

LOCATION

Xaradheere, Mudug, Somalia

Four al-Shabaab militants were killed by declared AFRICOM strikes near Xaradheere on January 25, 2023. AFRICOM released a statement on January 30th that “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike on Jan. 25, 2023. The strike

Summary

First published
January 25, 2023
Last updated
May 25, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Geolocation
Town
Belligerents reported killed
4
View Incident

Incident date

January 23, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM367

LOCATION

Xaradheere, Mudug, Somalia

Between two and 47 alleged al-Shabaab militants were killed by declared US airstrikes or drone strikes near Xaradheere, Somalia approximately 396 km northeast of Mogadishu on January 23, 2023. There are no known reports of civilian casualties. US AFRICOM released a statement that “at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of

Summary

First published
January 23, 2023
Last updated
May 31, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Geolocation
Town
Belligerents reported killed
2–47
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM366

LOCATION

Galcad, Galguduud, Somalia

AFRICOM declared that they had carried out an airstrike or drone strike that killed between 30 and 100 alleged militants approximately 260 km northeast of Mogadishu near Galcad, Somalia on January 20, 2023. There are no known reports of civilian harm. US AFRICOM announced that “at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in

Summary

First published
January 20, 2023
Last updated
May 25, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
30–100
View Incident

Incident date

January 9, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM365

LOCATION

Hawadley, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

Up to 61 al-Shabaab militants were killed and dozens of others were wounded by alleged US drone strikes/Somali army operations near Hawadlay on January 9, 2022. Anadolu Agency reported that according to the Somali Information Ministry, at least 61 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed and dozens others were wounded by an operation carried out by the

Summary

First published
January 9, 2023
Last updated
May 25, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike, Ground operation
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
60–61
Belligerents reported injured
12–24
View Incident