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

13 January 2021

Incident Code

USSOM329

Location

Buulo Fulaay, Bay, Somalia
A US airstrike allegedly killed one Al Shabaab fighter near Buulo Fulaay. The AFRICOM press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted one airstrike in the vicinity of Buulo Fulaay, Somalia Jan. 13, 2021. Initial assessments indicate the strike killed one al-Shabaab personnel and destroyed one compound.…

Summary

Published
13 January 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

7 January 2021

Incident Code

USSOM328

Location

Saaxa Weyne, Bay, Somalia
Five Al Shabaab member were allegedly killed by a US airstrike on Saaxa Weyne. The press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted one airstrike in the vicinity of Saaxa Weyne, Somalia, Jan. 7, 2021. Initial assessments indicate the strike killed five al-Shabaab members including the targeted…

Summary

Published
7 January 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
5–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1 January 2021

Incident Code

USSOM326-C

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
Two civilians were initially reported wounded in two US airstrikes on Kunya Barrow, local reports claimed. AFRICOM later confirmed that three civilians were in fact injured in the attack. Radio Al Furqaan, the Al Shabaab-affiliated radio station bombed in the incident, said at the time: "On Friday afternoon, January 1, 2021, US warplanes bombed the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 January 2021

Incident Code

USSOM327-C

Location

Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
Two civilians were allegedly wounded in two US airstrikes on Kunya Barrow. Radio Al Furqaan, the Al Shabaab-affiliated radio station bombed in the incident, said: "On Friday afternoon, January 1, 2021, US warplanes bombed the headquarters of Al-Furqan Islamic Radio in Kunya Barrow, Lower Shabelle region, destroying the station's building and equipment. There were no…

Summary

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

Incident Date

24 December 2020

Incident Code

USSOM325

Location

سااكوو, Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia
A US airstrike targeted Al Shabaab fighters near Saakow. The AFRICOM press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted one (1) airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab compound in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, Dec. 24. The initial assessment concluded the strike damaged the compound and several al-Shabaab fighters fled,…

Summary

Published
24 December 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 December 2020

Incident Code

USSOM324a

Location

Burr Heybo, Bay, Somalia
A US airstrike targeted Al Shabaab in Burr Heybo, AFRICOM told Airwars via email. The correspondence reads: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted one airstrike in Burr Heybo, Somalia on Dec. 21 targeting two (2) al-Shabaab terrorist. The command's initial assessment concluded this airstrike yielded no death or injuries…

Summary

Published
21 December 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident