Civilian Casualty Archive

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Somalia

Military Actor

U.S. Forces

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434 incidents

Incident Date

14 July 2019

Incident Code

USSOM238

Location

Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US air support was potentially involved in an operation to retake areas of the Lower Shabelle region which killed 15 al Shabaab fighters, Radio Shabelle reported. Colonel Mohamed Abdullahi Arale confirmed to state media that the Somali National Army had retaken Yaaqbari Weyne, MadaxMarodi and Lego villages. Colonel Arale reportedly said that his troops had…

Summary

Published
14 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2019

Incident Code

USSOM239

Location

Outside Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
A reported US drone strike killed al Shabaab's head of domestic intelligence in a night time action near Kunyo Barrow.  While the action was apparently confirmed by Somali military radio, AFRICOM did not declare a strike on this date - indicating a possible CIA action. Voice of America reporter Harun Maruf first mentioned the strike…

Summary

Published
18 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 July 2019

Incident Code

USSOM237b-C

Location

Shanta Baraako, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Two civilian were reported killed by US ground troops near Shanta Baraako in an apparent distortion of an In These Times investigation. AFRICOM later discounted the allegation. The In These Times report alleged that Waliyo Cali Qaasim and Abdikadir Ali were killed by Danab special forces in a counter-terrorism operation. In a post in the…

Summary

Published
12 July 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

27 July 2019

Incident Code

USSOM240

Location

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia
The US military conducted a fresh airstrike on so-called Islamic State in Somaliland, reporting the next day that they had killed one senior member of the terrorist group in the Golis Mountains region. "At this time, it is assessed the airstrike killed one (1) terrorist who played a key role in facilitation for the group,…

Summary

Published
27 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29–30 July, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM241

Location

Jamaame, Lower Juba, Somalia
According to Voice of America correspondent Harun Maruf, two airstrikes by an unknown party struck al Shabaab targets in southern Somalia. According to Maruf's initial tweet, "A strike in Jamame area reportedly hit a graduation ceremony of new recruits for Jaysh Ayman, the Al-Shabaab unit that operates in Kenya." The other strike allegedly targeted Buaale.…

Summary

Published
29 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2019

Incident Code

USSOM242

Location

Bu'aale, Middle Juba, Somalia
According to Voice of America correspondent Harun Maruf, two airstrikes by an unknown party struck al Shabaab targets in southern Somalia. One unsuccesfully targeted a 'senior ISIS figure' near Buaale. According to Maruf’s tweet, “There are reports of 2 new airstrikes  in S. Somalia overnight. A strike in Jamame area reportedly hit a graduation ceremony…

Summary

Published
29 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 August 2019

Incident Code

USSOM243

Location

Salagle, Middle Juba, Somalia
Local reports - including by the former head of Somalia's national intelligence service - said that a senior al Shabaab figure was killed in Salagle. According to Mareeg, "al-Shabaab's chief of security, Sheikh Jafar Ali Mohamud, and a few other members were killed" in an event at Salagle. Other actions were reported at nearby Sakow…

Summary

Published
5 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

20 August 2019

Incident Code

USSOM244

Location

Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
The United States reported conducting an airstrike against al Shabaab in the vicinity of Qunyo Barrow on August 20th, which it asserted had "killed one (1) terrorist." According to a press release issued on the same day, "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab terrorist…

Summary

Published
20 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 September 2019

Incident Code

USSOM245

Location

جيليب, Road between Jilib and Kismayo, Middle Juba, Somalia
An airstrike near Jilib killed one al Shabaab fighter, according to US Africa Command. There were no known reports of civilian harm, an official press statement asserted. "At this time, it is assessed the airstrike killed one (1) terrorist. Strikes near Jilib disrupt al-Shabaab’s freedom of maneuver.  Currently, we assess no civilians were injured or killed…

Summary

Published
3 September 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 September 2019

Incident Code

USSOM246

Location

Near Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
The United States carried out a second airstrike near Jilib on September 3rd 2019, this time against an "al-Shabaab associated vehicle", and with no known casualties. Details were revealed by AFRICOM in an email exchange with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism on October 4th 2019: "Separately, AFRICOM conducted an air strike targeting al-Shabaab equipment in…

Summary

Published
3 September 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

17 September 2019

Incident Code

USSOM247

Location

NW of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia
The US military carried out an airstrike on al Shabaab fighters - possibly high value - after they attacked a Somali patrol in the northwest of Kismayo, Lower Juba Province, according to a press release from US Africa Command. No civilian harm was reported in this incident. According to the official statement: "In coordination with…

Summary

Published
17 September 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 September 2019

Incident Code

USSOM248

Location

Near Ugungi, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
In an incident not originally declared publicly, AFRICOM officials later confirmed to Airwars that they had conducted a strike against al Shabaab in the lower Shabelle - for which they did not report either any militant or any civilian harm. Public Affairs Current Operations Branch Chief, Desiree Frame, told Airwars by email dated October 4th…

Summary

Published
24 September 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2019

Incident Code

USSOM249

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US military conducted an airstrike in self defence following a complex al-Shabaab attack on Baledogle Military Airfield (BMA) complex in Baledogle, US Africa Command reported. The strike and accompanying small arms fire killed 10 alleged terrorists, AFRICOM  initially reported - thought this toll  was later raised to 15. One US soldier was also injured,…

Summary

Published
30 September 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2019

Incident Code

USSOM250

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US military declared an airstrike near Qunyo Barrow that killed one al Shabaab fighter, according to a press release from US Africa Command. The attack took place on the same date that AFRICOM had carried out a retaliatory airstrike following a complex al Shabaab attack on Baledogle airfield. The press release noted: "In coordination…

Summary

Published
30 September 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 October 2019

Incident Code

USSOM250a-C

Location

Abaloni, in the vicinity of Hosingow, Lower Juba, Somalia
Two civilians were allegedly killed by a US or Kenyan airstrike on Abaloni. AFRICOM later denied conducting a strike in the area. Hussein Eliyow tweeted: "SOMALIA: Reports of US /Kenya airstrike in Abaloni village, outside Hosingow town last night. Residents say the airstrike killed at least two nomads. More details to follow." AFRICOM discounted the…

Summary

Published
3 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

18 October 2019

Incident Code

USSOM153-C

Location

Bulo Haji, Lower Juba, Somalia
In an alleged civilian harm event previously unrecorded by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a declassified AFRICOM report obtained in Spring 2019 identified a claimed event near Kismayo in October 2018. According to Casimada, "The strike against Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab group was conducted in Bulo-Haji area near the town, killing at least 3 children, a…

Summary

Published
18 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 October 2019

Incident Code

USSOM251-C

Location

Near Ameyra and Timirshe, Noogal, Somalia
A US drone strike intended to target an Islamic State hideout near the remote Ameyra and Timirshe villages in the Golis Mountain region, killed two civilians and injured another, according to multiple local and international media sources. However in April 2020, AFRICOM insisted the targets "were ISIS-Somalia leadership and media operatives."" At the time of…

Summary

Published
25 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 October 2019

Incident Code

USSOM252

Location

Jamaame, Lower Juba, Somalia
Local reports claimed that a pair of airstrikes by unknown international powers - presumably either the United States or Kenya - had targeted al Shabaab fighters in the towns of Jamaame and Buaale. According to Radio Kulmiye, "Another airstrikes were reported [on October 25th] from Middle Juba region, highly controlled by Al-Shabaab. Witnesses said that…

Summary

Published
25 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 October 2019

Incident Code

USSOM253

Location

Bu'aale, Middle Juba, Somalia
Local reports claimed that a pair of airstrikes by unknown intertnational powers – presumably either the United States or Kenya – had targeted al Shabaab fighters in the towns of Jamaame and Buaale. According to Radio Kulmiye, “Another airstrikes were reported [on Octoberr 25th] from Middle Jubba region, highly controlled by Al-Shabaab. Witnesses said that…

Summary

Published
25 October 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 November 2019

Incident Code

USSOM254

Location

Bu'aale, Middle Juba, Somalia
Local media reported targeted strikes by an undeclared belligerent on the town of Bu'ale, which were said to have killed and injured senior named al Shabaab figures. According to Goobjoog News, "Reports indicate on the airstrike raid in Bay and Middle Juba region last night targeted Al Shabab base located in the area bulla falay…

Summary

Published
3 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 November 2019

Incident Code

USSOM255

Location

Jilib or between Jilib and Xaramka, Middle Juba, Somalia
A senior al Shabaab communications official was reported killed, either in an air or ground operation. The official was named by all sources as Ibrahim Abu Hamza, reportedly a head of communications for the terror group. However there was conflicted reporting about both how he died - and at whose hands. According to Mareeg News,…

Summary

Published
3 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 November 2019

Incident Code

USSOM256

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
In a press release issued on the same day, US Africa Command reported that it had targeted and killed a senior al Shabaab figure in the vicinity of Jilib, in Middle Juba. "At this time, it is assessed the airstrike killed one (1) terrorist. Strikes near Jilib disrupt al-Shabaab’s freedom of maneuver. The individual targeted…

Summary

Published
12 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2019

Incident Code

USSOM257-C

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US military reported on the same day that it had carried out an airstrike near Qunyo Barrow that killed one "terrorist." However al Shabaab insisted the victim was a local civilian businessman named Ismail Issa Bhutan. AFRICOM later insisted the target "was both an al-Shabaab leader and weapons supplier." According to a press release…

Summary

Published
19 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 November 2019

Incident Code

USSOM258

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US military reported on the same day that it had carried out an airstrike in the vicinity of Jilib against al Shabaab fighters. It was not clear which of two locally reported targets - or indeed both - were struck. Unusually, AFRICOM made no mention of the number of militant fighters it believed had…

Summary

Published
30 November 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 December 2019

Incident Code

USSOM259

Location

سااكوو, Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US military reported on the same day that it had carried out an airstrike against al Shabaab in the vicinity of Saakow that killed one terrorist. "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, on Dec. 9," AFRICOM reported.…

Summary

Published
9 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

16 December 2019

Incident Code

USSOM260

Location

Dujuuma, Middle Juba, Somalia
Publicly declaring its 60th strike of the year, AFRICOM said that it had targeted and killed an alleged al Shabaab terrorist According to a press release issued on the same date, "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab terrorist in the vicinity of Dujuuma, Somalia,…

Summary

Published
16 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

28–29 December, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM263

Location

Vicinity of Caliyoow Barrow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
In apparent retaliatory strikes against al Al Shabaab for a mass casualty bombing in Mogadishu a day earlier, the United States said that it had conducted three strikes against al Shbaab commanders, killing four people in total. This entry relates to one strike in the vicinity of Caliyoow Barrow in Lower Shabelle. it later emerged…

Summary

Published
28 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2019

Incident Code

USSOM261-C

Location

Vicinity of Kunyo Barrow, Somalia
In retaliatory actions against al Al Shabaab for a mass casualty bombing in Mogadishu a day earlier, the United States said that it had conducted three strikes against al Shbaab commanders, killing four people in total.This entry relates to one of two strikes in the vicinity of Kunyo Barrow in Lower Shabelle. Al Shabaab itself…

Summary

Published
29 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2019

Incident Code

USSOM262

Location

Vicinity of Kunyo Barrow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
In retaliatory strikes against al Al Shabaab for a mass casualty bombing in Mogadishu a day earlier, the United States said that it had conducted three strikes against al Shbaab commanders, killing four people in total. This entry relates to one of two strikes in the vicinity of Kunyo Barrow in Lower Shabelle. According to…

Summary

Published
29 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 January 2020

Incident Code

USSOM264

Location

Between Bacaw and Bariire, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
In its first declared action in Somalia of 2020, AFRICOM announced on the same day that "in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists who engaged Somali National Army partner forces on patrol near Bacaw." AFRICOM added that "At this time, it is assessed this precision…

Summary

Published
3 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident