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 Date Publication Date

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
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Incident Date

13 May 2025

Incident Code

USSOM482

Location

north of Mogadishu, Somalia
On May 13, 2025, AFRICOM announced that “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against al Shabaab on May 13, 2025. The airstrike occurred north of Mogadishu, Somalia.” There was no mention of casualties amongst civilians or militants. There was no other information found about this attack.

Summary

Published
12 December 2025
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Incident Date

9 May 2025

Incident Code

USSOM480

Location

70 km Southeast of Bassaso, Puntland, Somalia
On May 9, 2025, AFRICOM announced that “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on May 9, 2025. The airstrike occurred 70 km Southeast of Bassaso, Somalia.” There was no mention of casualties amongst civilians or militants. There was no other information found about this attack.

Summary

Published
5 December 2025
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Incident Date

4 May 2025

Incident Code

USSOM479

Location

Golis Mountains, Miraale Region, Puntland, Somalia
On the night of May 4, 2025, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Puntland Defence Forces, carried out an airstrike on the Golis Mountains in the Al-Miskaad mountain range reportedly against ISIS militants. While no specific casualty toll was provided, the Somali Ministry of Defense was quoted by multiple news sources as reporting…

Summary

Published
5 December 2025
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Incident Date

3 May 2025

Incident Code

USSOM478

Location

Miraale Valley, Puntland, Somalia
In the early morning of May 3, 2025, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with Puntland Security Forces, carried out airstrikes against ISIS militants in the Dhasaan Sare area of the Miraale Valley in the Bari region. The strike killed 10 militants, according to a report from the International Crisis Group, and came hours after…

Summary

Published
5 December 2025
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Incident Date

25 April 2025

Incident Code

USSOM477

Location

southeast of Bosasso, Puntland, Somalia
On April 25, 2025, AFRICOM announced that "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on April 25, 2025. The airstrike occurred southeast of Bosasso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia." There was no mention of casualties amongst civilians or militants. There was no other information found about…

Summary

Published
5 December 2025
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