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

11 February 2021

Incident Code

USSOM334

Location

سااكوو, Sakow, Middle Juba, Somalia
Several Al Shabaab militants were reported killed at Sakow in a military strike which several local sources claimed was a US drone action. However AFRICOM explicitly denied this in an email to Airwars, insisting that "U.S. Africa Command's last airstrike in Somalia was conducted Jan. 19, 2021." Geesguud initially reported: "Residents in Middle Jubba reported…

Summary

Published
11 February 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
6–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11 February 2021

Incident Code

USSOM335

Location

Salagle, Middle Juba, Somalia
Several Al Shabaab militants were reported killed at Salagle in a military strike which two local sources claimed was a US drone action. However AFRICOM explicitly denied this in an email to Airwars, insisting that "U.S. Africa Command's last airstrike in Somalia was conducted Jan. 19, 2021." Intelligence Briefs said: "A number of Al-Shabaab operatives…

Summary

Published
11 February 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
6–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2021

Incident Code

USSOM333

Location

Ma'moodow, Bakool, Somalia
According to Somali official and media sources, an airstrike targeted a group of al Shabaab fighters in the vicinity of Ma'moodow town in Bakool province on January 29th. According to an official statement from the Security Ministry of South West State, the attack was conducted by "friends of Somalia." Following requests for clarification, AFRICOM publicly…

Summary

Published
29 January 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 January 2021

Incident Code

USSOM331-C

Location

Jamaame, Lower Juba, Somalia
One civilian was allegedly killed in a US airstrike on Jamaame. Halgan Media said: "US drones just bombed the town of Jamaame in the Lower Jubba province of Somalia and killed a prominent Clan elder named Mohamed Abbas, who died instantly when a missile from a US drone hit his home - Sources." Somali Memo,…

Summary

Published
19 January 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military actors reported killed
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 January 2021

Incident Code

USSOM332

Location

Deb Scinnele, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A US airstrike alelgedly killed Al Shabaab fighter near Deb Scinnele, according to AFRICOM. The press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted two airstrikes in the vicinities of Jamaame and Deb Scinnele, Somalia, Jan. 19. Initial assessments indicate the strikes killed three al-Shabaab operatives. The command’s…

Summary

Published
19 January 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1–2
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

18 January 2021

Incident Code

USSOM330

Location

Tiyeeglow, Bakool, Somalia
A US airstrike targeted an Al Shabaab compound in Tiyeeglow, according to AFRICOM. The press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted one airstrike in the vicinity of Tiyeeglow, Somalia, Jan. 18, 2021. Initial assessments indicate the strike destroyed one al-Shabaab compound. The command’s initial assessment is…

Summary

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