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

September 22, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM405

LOCATION

Wajid District, Bakool, Somalia

The militant organization Al-Shabaab claimed that U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) had conducted an airstrike against the terrorist network on 22nd of September, 2023. The group alleged that the airstrike, carried out in the Wajid district of Bakool in southwestern Somalia, had reportedly killed eight civilians, including six children. However, the Somalia government declared their responsibility

Summary

First published
September 22, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8
(6 children2 women)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Somali Military Forces, US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Named victims
8 named, 1 familiy identified
Belligerents reported killed
1–8
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
December 15, 2024
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

March 2, 2024

Incident Code

USSOM423

LOCATION

in a remote area in the vicinity approximately 45 km northeast of Kismayo, Somalia

Two al-Shabaab militants were reportedly killed by declared US airstrikes approximately 45 km northeast of Kismayo in Somalia on March 2, 2024. US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) released a statement on March 4th declaring their involvement: “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense against the al Shabaab

Summary

First published
December 27, 2024
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
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

July 12, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM393

LOCATION

Weelmarow Village, Lower Juba, Somalia

Kenyans.co.ke reported that a joint operation by US Commandos, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the Security Forces in Jubaland resulted in the death of 17 al-Shabaab militants in Weelmarow Village in Lower Juba. The source added that the majority of the al-Shabaab militants were Kenyan and Ethiopian natives. No other sources reported on the incident.

Summary

First published
July 12, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
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
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
17
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM406

LOCATION

Villages of Balal-Dheer, El-Gambar, and Mililiqo, Galguduud, Somalia

Local and official sources alleged that 27 al-Shabaab militants were killed by operations and airstrikes declared by the Somali military in the villages of Balal-Dheer, El-Gambar, and Mililiqo on September 22, 2023. On Friday the 22nd of September, 2023, the Somali Ministry of Defense posted a statement on X / Twitter that “over 27 Khawarij

Summary

First published
September 23, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
Somali Military Forces, US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
27
View Incident

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
December 15, 2024
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

March 7, 2024

Incident Code

USSOM424

LOCATION

on the border between Lower Shabelle and Middle Jubba regions in southern Somalia, Somalia

Halbeeg News reported that at least six al-Shabaab fighters were killed in a suspected US airstrike which destroyed technical vehicles as well as an arsenal on the border between Lower Shabelle and Middle Jubba regions in southern Somalia on March 7, 2024. According to Halqabsi News, six al-Shabaab bases were struck and killed several high-ranking

Summary

First published
December 27, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
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
Belligerents reported killed
6
View Incident

Incident date

July 19, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM394

LOCATION

near Hareeri Kalle, Galguduud, Somalia

Between five and 100 militants were killed and several others were injured by declared US airstrikes and Somali ground operations near Hareeri Kalle in July 19, 2023. AFRICOM released a statement that “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike in a remote area near Hareeri

Summary

First published
July 19, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
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
Belligerents reported killed
5–100
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

September 23, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM407

LOCATION

Elbur, Galguduud, Somalia

An unknown number of Al-Shabaab members, including top leaders, were reportedly killed by airstrikes allegedly carried out by the US and/or Somali military on Elbur in Galgaduud province on September 23, 2023. There have been no reports of civilian casualties connected to the strikes. On the 23rd of September, 2023, the Somali Ministry of Defense

Summary

First published
September 23, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
Somali Military Forces, US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM375

LOCATION

Hawda Qaycad, Mudug, Somalia

Local and official sources alleged that 10 al-Shabaab militants were killed and others were injured by Somalia National Army operations and airstrikes near Hawda Qaycad on February 15, 2023. Abdi Garad Omar Mohamed, one of the officials of Wisil district in Mudug region, told Mustaqbal Media News that around 60 members of al-Shabaab were killed in

Summary

First published
February 15, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
10
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

March 10, 2024

Incident Code

USSOM425

LOCATION

in the vicinity of Ugunji, Somalia

A source affiliated with al-Shabaab reported that five civilian farmers were killed by a “US and Somali special forces” operation in Lower Shabelle on March 10th while US Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced that they had killed three al-Shabaab militants in airstrikes “in the vicinity of Ugunji.” AFRICOM declared their involvement in the strike on March

Summary

First published
December 27, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
3
View Incident