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

17 December 2022

Incident Code

USSOM363

Location

Cadale, Middle Shabelle, Somalia
US declared airstrikes near Cadale, Middle Shabelle, Somalia on December 17, 2022 allegedly killed eight al-Shabaab militants, with no civilians killed or injured. AFRICOM released a statement on December 18th that "At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two collective self-defense strikes, one each on Dec. 14 and 17,…

Summary

Published
17 December 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike, Ground operation
Military actors reported killed
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

14 December 2022

Incident Code

USSOM362

Location

Cadale, Middle Shabelle, Somalia
US declared airstrikes near Cadale, Middle Shabelle, Somalia on December 14, 2022 allegedly killed seven al-Shabaab militants, with no civilians killed or injured. Statements from the Somali government put casualty counts at 88 al-Shabaab militants killed in Middle Shabelle. AFRICOM released a statement on December 18th that "At the request of the Federal Government of…

Summary

Published
14 December 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike, Ground operation
Military actors reported killed
7–88
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 November 2022

Incident Code

USSOM357

Location

Bulo Madina, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Over 49 al-Shabaab militants were reportedly killed and others were wounded by Somali forces and "international partner" airstrikes/ground operations in the Bulo Madina area of Lower Shabelle on November 22, 2022. Garrote Online reported that according to the Ministry of Information, over 49 militants were killed by an airstrike following an operation by the Somali…

Summary

Published
22 November 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike, Ground operation
Military actors reported killed
49
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces, International Forces (Unknown)
View Incident

Incident Date

9 November 2022

Incident Code

USSOM356

Location

285 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, Galguduud, Somalia
At least 17 militants were killed by US AFRICOM declared airstrikes approximately 285 kilometers northeast, possibly in Basra, Balad district and/or in Ceel Gorof (Galmudug) on November 9, 2022. AFRICOM released a statement two days after the incident, November 11th, that "Somali National Army forces were engaged with al Shabaab fighters in a remote area…

Summary

Published
9 November 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike, Ground operation
Military actors reported killed
17–97
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 November 2022

Incident Code

USSOM355

Location

near the villages of Cadale, Mora-Erri, Garas Magan, and El Hareeri, Hiiraan, Somalia
Between eight and 200 al-Shabaab militants were killed by declared US airstrikes in support of Somali forces and/or Somali ground operations near the villages of Cadale, Mora-Erri, Garas Magan, and El Hareeri on November 3, 2022. AFRICOM released a statement two days later, on November 5th, that "In support of the Federal Government of Somalia’s…

Summary

Published
3 November 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Ground operation
Military actors reported killed
8–200
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 October 2022

Incident Code

USSOM354

Location

near Buulobarde, Hiiraan, Somalia
At least two al-Shabaab militants were killed by a declared US airstrike near Buulobarde, Somalia on October 23, 2022. AFRICOM released a statement that "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking Somali National Army forces near Buulobarde, Somalia, about 218 km north-northwest…

Summary

Published
23 October 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike, Ground operation
Military actors reported killed
2–100
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident