U.S. Forces in Somalia

US forces began conducting airstrikes against Al-Qaeda in Somalia in 2007. Following Ethiopia’s military intervention and the capture of large swathes of the country by Al-Shabaab, US forces escalated their air campaign.

Airwars has documented numerous allegations of civilian harm from US strikes in Somalia since 2007.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

92 – 167

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely U.S. Forces actions in Somalia for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the U.S. Forces. These originate from 101 separate alleged incidents.

25 – 28
children likely killed
14 – 15
women likely killed
35
likely injured
90
named victims

U.S. Forces estimate of civilian deaths

6

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S. Forces actions in Somalia, originating from 5 separate incidents of civilian harm.

11
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
245 – 407
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S. Forces actions in Somalia.
101 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
92 – 167
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S. Forces
37 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
89 – 98
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
26 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
53 – 122
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
23 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
11 – 20
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
447 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

9 May 2025

Incident Code

USSOM480

Location

70 km Southeast of Bassaso, Puntland, Somalia
On May 9, 2025, AFRICOM announced that “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on May 9, 2025. The airstrike occurred 70 km Southeast of Bassaso, Somalia.” There was no mention of casualties amongst civilians or militants. There was no other information found about this attack.

Summary

Published
5 December 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4 May 2025

Incident Code

USSOM479

Location

Golis Mountains, Miraale Region, Puntland, Somalia
On the night of May 4, 2025, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Puntland Defence Forces, carried out an airstrike on the Golis Mountains in the Al-Miskaad mountain range reportedly against ISIS militants. While no specific casualty toll was provided, the Somali Ministry of Defense was quoted by multiple news sources as reporting…

Summary

Published
5 December 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 May 2025

Incident Code

USSOM478

Location

Miraale Valley, Puntland, Somalia
In the early morning of May 3, 2025, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with Puntland Security Forces, carried out airstrikes against ISIS militants in the Dhasaan Sare area of the Miraale Valley in the Bari region. The strike killed 10 militants, according to a report from the International Crisis Group, and came hours after…

Summary

Published
5 December 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 April 2025

Incident Code

USSOM477

Location

southeast of Bosasso, Puntland, Somalia
On April 25, 2025, AFRICOM announced that "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on April 25, 2025. The airstrike occurred southeast of Bosasso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia." There was no mention of casualties amongst civilians or militants. There was no other information found about…

Summary

Published
5 December 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 April 2025

Incident Code

USSOM476

Location

Wargaadhi, approximately 120 miles north of Mogadishu, Middle Shabelle, Somalia
On April 24, 2025, Al-Shabaab militants attacked the village of Wargaadhi in the Middle Shabelle region in an attempt to capture a strategic Somali National Army (SNA) base. There are conflicting reports as to how the operation unfolded — including from within the SNA — but after multiple airstrikes by AFRICOM, Somali government forces were…

Summary

Published
5 December 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
20–52
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 April 2025

Incident Code

USSOM475

Location

southeast of Bosasso, Puntland, Somalia
On April 24, 2025, AFRICOM announced that "At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted a collective self-defense airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on April 24, 2025. The airstrike occurred southeast of Bosasso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia." There was no mention of casualties amongst civilians or militants. There was no other…

Summary

Published
5 December 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident