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

1 August 2021

Incident Code

USSOM342

Location

Between Qaycad town and Xarardheere , Mudug, Somalia
In its latest actions in support of Somali ground forces, AFRICOM confirmed that it had conducted airstrikes on al Shabaab positions "in the vicinity of Qeycad" on August 1st. Statements published by both the Somali Ministry of Information and Galmudug State referred to two separate strikes, which Airwars is therefore treating as separate events. Galmudug…

Summary

Published
1 August 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 July 2021

Incident Code

USSOM340

Location

Between Qaycad town and Xarardheere district, Mudug, Somalia
The US conducted its second airstrike within four days against Al Shabab fighters in the Qay'ad area between Qaycad town and Xarardheere district on July 23, 2021 at 10:21AM. According to Morad News, the US airstrike was in support of Somali forces involved in fighting with Al Shabab fighters as they were trying to capture…

Summary

Published
23 July 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

20 July 2021

Incident Code

USSOM339

Location

Vicinity of Qeycad, Mudug, Somalia
Exactly six months after Joe Biden became president, the US conducted its first declared strike in Somalia of his administration, at either 10.21 or 11.05am on July 20th 2021. According to Morad News the attack took place in the Qay'ad area of Muldug, with Sonna state media reporting that the airstrike was conducted on a…

Summary

Published
20 July 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2–3 June, 2021

Incident Code

USSOM338-C

Location

Ceel-Cadde, Gedo, Somalia
At least one civilian, a woman, was killed and up to seven other civilians, including five children, were injured alleged US drone strikes or Kenyan airstrikes on the town of Ceel-Cadde in the Gedo region on June 2-3, 2021. Halgan Media reported that suspected US drones or Kenyan fighter jets carried out strikes on a home…

Summary

Published
2 June 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
4–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 April 2021

Incident Code

USSOM337

Location

Bariire, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Clashes between Somali government forces, Al-Shabaab forces, and unknown airstrikes resulted in the reported deaths of up to 47 government soldiers and the injury of 11 other government soldiers, as well as the claimed death of 77 Al-Shabaab fighters in Bariire on April 3, 2021. Hussein Mohamed, a journalist for the New York Times in…

Summary

Published
3 April 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike, Ground operation
Military actors reported killed
86–124
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

17 February 2021

Incident Code

USSOM336

Location

Hantiwadaag, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A single source alleged a US drone strike on Hantidawaag which AFRICOM later denied. Halgan Media wrote: "US drones just bombed the village of Hantiwadaag in Somalia's Lower Shabelle province and struck a vehicle carrying a group of Al Shabaab fighters - Sources." AFRICOM responded to a request from Airwars: "U.S. Africa Command's last strikes…

Summary

Published
17 February 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident