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

25 January 2023

Incident Code

USSOM368

Location

Almiskad mountains, Bari, Somalia
An ISIS leader and 10 of his associates were killed by a declared US counterterrorism operation in the Almiskad mountains of Bari region, Somalia on January 25, 2023. One US service member was injured during the operation when a dog bit him. AFRICOM initially released a statement that "the U.S. military conducted a successful counterterrorism operation…

Summary

Published
25 January 2023
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
11
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date

25 January 2023

Incident Code

USSOM369

Location

Xaradheere, Mudug, Somalia
Four al-Shabaab militants were killed by declared AFRICOM strikes near Xaradheere on January 25, 2023. AFRICOM released a statement on January 30th that "At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike on Jan. 25, 2023. The strike…

Summary

Published
25 January 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date

23 January 2023

Incident Code

USSOM367

Location

Xaradheere, Mudug, Somalia
Between two and 47 alleged al-Shabaab militants were killed by declared US airstrikes or drone strikes near Xaradheere, Somalia approximately 396 km northeast of Mogadishu on January 23, 2023. There are no known reports of civilian casualties. US AFRICOM released a statement that "at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of…

Summary

Published
23 January 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
2–47
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

20 January 2023

Incident Code

USSOM366

Location

Galcad, Galguduud, Somalia
AFRICOM declared that they had carried out an airstrike or drone strike that killed between 30 and 100 alleged militants approximately 260 km northeast of Mogadishu near Galcad, Somalia on January 20, 2023. There are no known reports of civilian harm. US AFRICOM announced that "at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in…

Summary

Published
20 January 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
30–100
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 January 2023

Incident Code

USSOM365

Location

Hawadley, Middle Shabelle, Somalia
Up to 61 al-Shabaab militants were killed and dozens of others were wounded by alleged US drone strikes/Somali army operations near Hawadlay on January 9, 2022. Anadolu Agency reported that according to the Somali Information Ministry, at least 61 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed and dozens others were wounded by an operation carried out by the…

Summary

Published
9 January 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Ground operation
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Military actors reported killed
60–61
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 December 2022

Incident Code

USSOM364

Location

Awdal, Middle Shabelle, Somalia
Six alleged al-Shabaab members were killed by declared US airstrikes on the small town of Awdal 248 km northeast of Mogadishu near Cadale, Middle Shabelle, on December 23, 2022. AFRICOM released a statement the same day that "At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a self-defense strike, Dec. 23, in…

Summary

Published
23 December 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident