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

91 – 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 99 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

5

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

11
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
244 – 407
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S. Forces actions in Somalia.
99 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
91 – 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.
25 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.
14 seperate alleged incidents

Civilian Casualty Incidents — U.S. Forces in Somalia

Start Date

End Date

Strike Type

Causes of Death / Injury

Strike Status

Civilian Harm Status

Belligerent Assessment

Casualty

Infrastructure

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434 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

29 March 2025

Incident Code

USSOM467

Location

Southeast of Bosasso, Puntland, Somalia
On Saturday, 29 March 2025, six alleged ISIS-Somalia (Daesh) militants were killed in the Al-Miskaad mountains southeast of Bosasso in Puntland State, Somalia, in an airstrike declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia and Puntland authorities. No civilians were officially reported as injured or killed in the…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 March 2025

Incident Code

USSOM466

Location

in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, Puntland, Somalia
At night on Tuesday, 25 March 2025, 35 alleged Daesh (ISIS) militants were killed in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains of the Bari Region in Puntland State, Somalia, in airstrikes declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia. No civilians were officially reported as injured or killed…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15 March 2025

Incident Code

USSOM464

Location

150 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, Somalia
On Saturday, March 15 2025, six alleged al-Shabaab militants were killed 150 kilometers north east of Mogadishu, Somalia, in an airstrike declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia. In a statement released on March 17, AFRICOM confirmed the airstrike which was “at the request of the Federal…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1 March 2025

Incident Code

USSOM460

Location

in the vicinity of Ceel Baraf, Middle Shabelle, Somalia
At night on Saturday, 1 March 2025, at least five alleged al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Ceel Baraf, Middle Shabelle, Somalia, were killed in two airstrikes declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces reportedly at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia. No civilians were officially reported as injured or killed in the…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2025

Incident Code

USSOM459

Location

al-Kowthar village, Middle Shabelle, Somalia
On Tuesday, 25 February 2025, up to 19 alleged al-Shabaab militants were killed in the al-Kowthar region, in an airstrike declared by US Africa Command forces in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia. US AFRICOM released a statement terming the airstrike as “collective self-defense” at the request of the Somali government, and that the…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21–22 February, 2025

Incident Code

USSOM458a

Location

Caal Miskeed Mountains, Puntland, Somalia
Beginning at around 9pm on Friday through midnight into Saturday, 21st and 22nd February 2025, at least three alleged ISIS-Somalia militants were killed in two successive airstrikes declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration with the Somali federal government. No civilians were officially reported as injured or killed in the strikes. The official…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident