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Search
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Incident Date
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Publication Date
94 incidents
Incident Date
15 December 2018
Incident Code
USSOM169
Location
غندرشي, Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
AFRICOM publicly reported four strikes on the same area on the same day – asserting that it had killed 34 al Shabaab militants in total in the vicinity of Gandarshe. Another two strikes took place on December 16th, it said – killing another 28 militants. “All six airstrikes were conducted in close coordination with the…
Summary
Published
15 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
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Incident Date
15 December 2018
Incident Code
SOM121a
Location
غندرشي, Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
AFRICOM publicly reported four strikes on the same area on the same day – asserting that it had killed 34 al Shabaab militants in total in the vicinity of Gandarshe. Another two strikes took place on December 16th, it said – killing another 28 militants. “All six airstrikes were conducted in close coordination with the…
Summary
Published
15 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
26
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date
8–9 December, 2018
Incident Code
USSOM166-C
Location
Baladul Rahma, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
One civilian was reportedly killed and another injured in a confirmed US airstrike in Baladul Rahma near Basra, Somalia according to a field investigation by Amnesty International - though US Africa Command continues to deny that any civilians were harmed. In a press release from AFRICOM issued at the time, it had said it carried…
Summary
Published
8 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
(
Drone Strike
)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military actors reported killed
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date
4 December 2018
Incident Code
USSOM165
Location
Awdheegle, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Four al Shabaab fighters were reported killed as the US carried out what it said was a self-defence strike in the vicinity of Awdheegle, Lower Shabelle, after US and partner forces came under attack, US Africa Command said in a statement. Associated Press gave a detailed report on the event: "Somali commandos backed by U.S.…
Summary
Published
4 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date
2–3 October, 2018
Incident Code
USSOM148
Location
Baasra, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
According to a single source, an airstrike by an unknown party hit the strategic village of Basra in Middle Shebelle. Goobjoog News stated that "Reports indicate that Airstrikes hit last night at Basra village in the Middle Shabelle Somalia. Residents of Basra village told Goobjoog News there were heavy attacks in the village amid reports…
Summary
Published
2 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date
21 September 2018
Incident Code
USSOM146
Location
50 km northwest of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia
US forces carried out a 'self-defence strike' against al Shabaab on September 21st approximately 50 km northwest of Kismayo and killing 18 al Shabaab members, according to a press release from US Africa Command. According to AFRICOM "The U.S. airstrike was conducted against militants after U.S. and partner forces came under attack. We currently assess…
Summary
Published
21 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
,
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
18–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
,
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
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Incident Date
20–26 August, 2018
Incident Code
USSOM141-C
Location
Basra, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
An investigation by journalist Amanda Sperber identified a possible US airstrike near Basra around the time of Eid in August 2018, which allegedly killed between 10 and 12 members of the same family. Airwars has provided a relatively wide date range for this event, based on limited reporting. The investigation, published by The Nation in…
Summary
Published
20 August 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
(
Drone Strike
)
Civilians reported killed
10–12
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date
2 August 2018
Incident Code
USSOM138-C
Location
Gobanle (Gobaale), Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Three civilians were reportedly killed in a US strike in Gobanle village, according to Amnesty International - though US Africa Command claimed that only four "terrorists" were killed. However an AFRICOM declassified assessment of the event published in July 2019 indicated that the US itself was unaware of the identities of those in the vehicle…
Summary
Published
2 August 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Military actors reported killed
1–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date
23 May 2018
Incident Code
USSOM128
Location
Arbiska, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A late night US strike on the village of Arbiska was reported by Radio Shabelle. According to the local news outlet, "Suspected American fighter jets were reported to have carried out an overnight airstrike in Lower Shabelle region, targeting Al-Shabaab bases, residents said. The strike happened on the outskirt of Arbiska village, located near the capital,…
Summary
Published
23 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date
9–10 May, 2018
Incident Code
USSOM127-C
Location
Bulcida Macalinka (northeast), Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Five civilians were reportedly killed in a US and/or Somali-waged ground operation - possibly also involving airpower - in the Lower Shabelle region, local and international media reported. The US denied allegations of harm on several occasions. The raid was reportedly carried out by Somalia commandos, with the US saying American troops supported the mission…
Summary
Published
9 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
,
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
5
Military actors reported killed
3–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date
16 April 2018
Incident Code
USSOM126
Location
ليغو, Leego, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US forces carried out a strike against al Shabaab militants on April 16th near Leego, an Africa Command spokesperson told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in early May. AFRICOM made no mention of civilian harm. An AFRICOM spokespersons noted that "No terrorists were killed and no equipment was destroyed in this strike." Leego is described…
Summary
Published
16 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date
19 March 2018
Incident Code
USSOM122
Location
مبارك, Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
AFRICOM publicly reported that two days earlier, it had "conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab on the morning of March 19 near Mubaarak, Somalia". The press release made no mention of civilian harm. However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed "two terrorists", wounded another "three terrorists" and destroyed "one vehicle". Voice of America reported the following:…
Summary
Published
19 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
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Incident Date
18 January 2018
Incident Code
USSOM114
Location
Beer Xaani, Lower Juba, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants on Jan. 18, approximately 50 kilometers northwest of Kismayo". It added: "No civilians were killed in this strike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed "four (4) terrorists." In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by journalist Joshua Eaton in May 2019, AFRICOM …
Summary
Published
18 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date
18 January 2018
Incident Code
USSOM115-C
Location
Jameeco Jilyaale near Beled ul Amin, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The US confirmed it had accompanied Somali troops in a mission that rescued 30 to 32 boys from an al Shabaab indoctrination centre in the Lower Shabelle region. However, during the rescue attempt, fire reportedly from Somali forces reportedly killed four or five children, and a teacher. A later US government FOIA response indicated that…
Summary
Published
18 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Military actors reported killed
4–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date
11–12 December, 2017
Incident Code
USSOM109
Location
مبارك, Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US Forces carried out a strike against an "al-Shabaab vehicle-borne improvised explosive device" in the early hours of December 12th, US Africa Command announced, which it said had removed an "imminent threat to the people of Mogadishu". The early morning strike hit 65 kilometers southwest of the capital, AFRICOM said (later noting that the strike…
Summary
Published
12 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
(
Drone Strike
)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
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Incident Date
6 December 2017
Incident Code
USSOM108-C
Location
130 km southwest of Mogadishu, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Between five and seven civilians, including two children, were killed when a vehicle carrying suspected al Shabaab fighters exploded in their village, after being hit by what is thought to have been a US airstrike - though US Africa Command deny any strikes in the area on this date. The explosion reportedly injured a further…
Summary
Published
6 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
(
Drone Strike
)
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military actors reported killed
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
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Incident Date
29 November 2017
Incident Code
USSOM107
Location
Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A US airstrike targeted an al Shabaab training camp in Tortoorow, Lower Shabelle according to local media. While not declared by AFRICOM at the time, the US later admitted the event in a May 2019 FOIA response. According to Garowe Online, "The attack took place in Toratorow, a main al Shabaab stronghold town in the…
Summary
Published
29 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
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Incident Date
14 November 2017
Incident Code
USSOM104
Location
Idow Jalaad, near Leego, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A US strike killed "several" al Shabaab fighters in the seventh aerial attack in Somalia in six days. Lower Shabelle's deputy governor told Voice of America the strike had killed six al Shabaab fighters in the village of Idow Jalad. A statement from US Africa Command said the strike was carried out "in coordination with…
Summary
Published
14 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
2–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
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Incident Date
12 November 2017
Incident Code
USSOM101-C
Location
Southeast of Darusalaam, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A US strike on al Shabaab fighters in the Lower Shabelle region also killed three civilians, Amnesty International later reported. Two US strikes took place in Somalia on November 12th, with one targeting al Shabaab and the other hitting Islamic State fighters, according to US Africa Command. The strikes killed "several fighters", it said. The…
Summary
Published
12 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Military actors reported killed
0–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
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Incident Date
10–11 November, 2017
Incident Code
USSOM099-C
Location
2km north of Baasra, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US forces carried out a strike against al Shabaab at approximately 8pm local Somalia time killing "several" fighters, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said. It was also alleged by local officials that three civilians had died. The strike hit the Lower Shabelle region. A Somali military official told Voice of America the strike, which they said…
Summary
Published
10 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
(
Drone Strike
)
Civilians reported killed
3
Military actors reported killed
10–13
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
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Incident Date
31 August–1 September, 2017
Incident Code
USSOM089
Location
حرمك, Kunya Barrow near Barawe, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US said it carried out a strike near Barawe in southern Somalia on August 31st, killing one al Shabaab fighter and wounding one other. AP reported that "At least one missile struck a location outside Barawe that the extremists often use to launch attacks on the government-held town, a Somali intelligence official said. He…
Summary
Published
31 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
(
Drone Strike
)
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
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Incident Date
25 August 2017
Incident Code
USSOM088-C
Location
Bariire, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The US military and the Somali government announced they were investigating reports that ten civilians, including three children, were killed during an operation on a farm in Bariire, in Somalia's southern Lower Shabelle region. However, on November 28th 2017, the US published a press release concluding that only "armed enemy combatants" were killed. Earlier that…
Summary
Published
25 August 2017
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
10
Military actors reported killed
0–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
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Incident Date
2 July 2017
Incident Code
USSOM074
Location
حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
A US airstrike in the Lower Shabelle region targeting al Shabaab insurgents killed one member of the terror group, according to AFRICOM. The victim may have been the leader of the group's intelligence wing, Andullahi Haji Daud. There are currently no known associated reports of civilian harm. The strike hit in the south of the…
Summary
Published
2 July 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
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Incident Date
4–5 May, 2017
Incident Code
USSOM071
Location
دار السلام, Andalus Radio, Darusalaam, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
In the first confirmed US kinetic operation since President Trump designated Somalia an active war zone in March 2017, one US Navy serviceman was killed and two or three others injured during an operation against al Shabaab in Somalia on May 5th (local time), the first declared American service member death in combat in the…
Summary
Published
5 May 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
,
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
4–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
,
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
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Incident Date
5–6 December, 2016
Incident Code
USSOM067
Location
Omar Beere/Ibrahim Ali Berre camp near Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Two media organisations reported a possible US air operation targeting an al Shabaab base in the Lower Shabelle region. Dalsan Radio reported that Somali commandos backed by US Special Forces had attacked al Shabaab bases in Omar Berre in Lower Shabelle overnight using helicopters. It also quoted what it said was an eyewitness: "'We heard several…
Summary
Published
6 December 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
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Incident Date
5 September 2016
Incident Code
USSOM063
Location
Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The US reported two days after the event that it had conducted two “self-defence strikes” on September 5th against al Shabaab, killing four militants in total. According to an AFRICOM press release, the strikes hit near Tortoroow and were conducted in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia after a Somali-led counter-terrorism operation came under…
Summary
Published
5 September 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
,
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
,
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
→
Incident Date
5 September 2016
Incident Code
USSOM062
Location
Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The US reported two days after the event that it had conducted two “self-defence strikes” on September 5th against al Shabaab, killing four militants. According to an AFRICOM press release, the strikes hit near Tortoroow and were conducted in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia after a Somali-led counter-terrorism operation came under attack. Garowe…
Summary
Published
5 September 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
,
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
,
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
→
Incident Date
22 November 2015
Incident Code
USSOM041
Location
Balad Amiin, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A US strike targeted an al Shabaab base in Balad Amin in southern Somalia, killing between five and 10 of the group’s fighters. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism reported at the time that the US confirmed it carried out an airstrike “at approximately 4pm Eastern Time” – 1am November 22 local time – in defence…
Summary
Published
22 November 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
(
Drone Strike
)
Military actors reported killed
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
→
Incident Date
31 January 2015
Incident Code
USSOM034-C
Location
Dugule, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A mystery airstrike reportedly killed between 40 and 60 alleged belligerents on January 31st 2015. Xinhua also reported that "scores of others were injured" in the attack, leaving it unclear whether those injured were civilians or militants. It was described by some as a US drone strike - thought the Pentagon denied this. Abdulkadir Mohamed…
Summary
Published
31 January 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike
(
Drone Strike
)
Civilians reported injured
0–5
Military actors reported killed
40–60
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
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Incident Date
1 September 2014
Incident Code
USSOM032
Location
Sablaale, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
In this strike in Barawe, Lower Shabelle, up to six al Shabaab militants were killed, including the the group’s leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane (aka Mukhtar Abu Zubeyr or Ahmed Abdi Aw Mohamed), international and local media reported. There were no reports of civilian harm. The strike was the first known US attack in Somalia for some…
Summary
Published
1 September 2014
Strike Type
Airstrike
(
Drone Strike
)
Military actors reported killed
1–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident
→
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