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
454 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

13 July 2025

Incident Code

USSOM501

Location

southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, Somalia
On July 13, 2025, AFRICOM announced that “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on July 13, 2025. The airstrike occurred southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia.” There was no mention of casualties amongst civilians or militants. There was no other information found about…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28 June 2025

Incident Code

USSOM497

Location

southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, Somalia
On June 28, 2025, AFRICOM announced that “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on June 28, 2025.The airstrike occurred southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia.” There was no mention of casualties amongst civilians or militants. There was no other information found about this…

Summary

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

Incident Date

14 June 2025

Incident Code

USSOM493

Location

northwest of Mogadishu, Somalia
On June 14, 2025, AFRICOM announced that “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted a collective self-defense airstrike against al Shabaab on June 14, 2025. The airstrike occurred northwest of Mogadishu, Somalia.” There was no mention of casualties amongst civilians or militants. There was no other information found about…

Summary

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

Incident Date

10 June 2025

Incident Code

USSOM491

Location

southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, Somalia
On June 10, 2025, AFRICOM announced that “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on June 10, 2025. The airstrike occurred southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia.” There was no mention of casualties amongst civilians or militants. There was no other information found about…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 June 2025

Incident Code

USSOM490

Location

southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, Somalia
On June 10, 2025, AFRICOM announced that “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on June 10, 2025. The airstrike occurred southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia.” There was no mention of casualties amongst civilians or militants. There was no other information found about…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 May 2025

Incident Code

USSOM485

Location

approximately 27 miles northwest of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia
On May 21, 2025, AFRICOM announced that “In support of a military operation led by the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) conducted airstrikes against al Shabaab on May 21, 2025. The airstrikes, backing a Somali-led operation, occurred approximately 27 miles northwest of Kismayo, Somalia.” There was no mention of casualties amongst civilians…

Summary

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