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

93 – 170

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 103 separate alleged incidents.

25 – 28
children likely killed
14 – 15
women likely killed
35
likely injured
91
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
267 – 435
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S. Forces actions in Somalia.
103 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
93 – 170
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S. Forces
38 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
89 – 98
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
26 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
74 – 147
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
24 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
11 – 20
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
552 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

21 November 2025

Incident Code

USSOM538

Location

65 km southeast of Bossaso, Bari, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2025

Incident Code

USSOM537

Location

60 km southeast of Bossaso, Bari, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2025

Incident Code

USSOM536

Location

65 km southeast of Bossaso, Bari, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
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Incident Date

16 November 2025

Incident Code

USSOM535

Location

Jamaame, Lower Juba, Somalia
At least 21 people, including multiple children and an elderly man, were reported killed in an airstrike and/or ground operations near Jamaame in southern Somalia on 16 November, 2025. Nine other people were injured. Alongside the civilian casualties, “homes and businesses were destroyed.” Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the civilian casualties,…

Summary

Published
16 November 2025
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Incident Date

14 November 2025

Incident Code

USSOM533

Location

approximately 55 km northeast of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
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Incident Date

14–15 November, 2025

Incident Code

USSOM534

Location

approximately 55 km northeast of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
View Incident