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

13 June 2025

Incident Code

USSOM492

Location

Southeast of Bossaso, Bari, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
View Incident

Incident Date

10 June 2025

Incident Code

USSOM491

Location

southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, Somalia
On June 10, 2025, AFRICOM announced that “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on June 10, 2025. The airstrike occurred southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia.” There was no mention of casualties amongst civilians or militants. There was no other information found about…

Summary

Published
12 December 2025
View Incident

Incident Date

4 June 2025

Incident Code

USSOM490

Location

southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, Somalia
On June 10, 2025, AFRICOM announced that “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on June 10, 2025. The airstrike occurred southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia.” There was no mention of casualties amongst civilians or militants. There was no other information found about…

Summary

Published
12 December 2025
View Incident

Incident Date

2 June 2025

Incident Code

USSOM489

Location

Southeast of Bossaso, Bari, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
View Incident

Incident Date

1 June 2025

Incident Code

USSOM488

Location

72 km south of Bossaso, Bari, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
View Incident

Incident Date

31 May 2025

Incident Code

USSOM487

Location

75 km south of Bosasso, Bari, Somalia

Summary

Published
31 May 2025
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