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

26 September 2025

Incident Code

USSOM520

Location

60 km southeast of Bossaso, Bari, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
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Incident Date

21 September 2025

Incident Code

USSOM519

Location

60 km southeast of Bossaso, Bari, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
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Incident Date

13 September 2025

Incident Code

USSOM518

Location

Jincayo, Sanaag, Somalia
During the afternoon of Sept. 13, 2025, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted airstrikes outside Badhan, Somalia that reportedly killed a village chief. AFRICOM stated the strike targeted an Al-Shabaab weapons dealer, but neither identified the individual nor confirmed that he was killed. The militant group, local officials, and family members said the individual killed was…

Summary

Published
20 January 2026
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Incident Date

12 September 2025

Incident Code

USSOM517

Location

in the vicinity of Ceel Dheer, approximately 288 km northeast of Mogadishu, Galguduud, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
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Incident Date

10 September 2025

Incident Code

USSOM515

Location

in the Golis Mountains, Bari, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
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Incident Date

9 September 2025

Incident Code

USSOM514

Location

Shabelle Region, Shabelle, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
View Incident