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 December 2020

Incident Code

USSOM323

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
Two US airstrikes reportedly killed between eight and ten Al Shabaab fighters near Jilib. Garowe reported: "Amid plans to withdraw from Somalia, the US Africa Command conducted two airstrikes on Thursday in the Horn of Africa nation, killing at least eight Al-Shabaab commanders linked to the manufacturing of explosives besides coordinating attacks in the country."…

Summary

Published
10 December 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
8–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11 December 2020

Incident Code

USSOM324

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
Two US airstrikes reportedly killed between eight and ten Al Shabaab fighters near Jilib. Garowe reported: "Amid plans to withdraw from Somalia, the US Africa Command conducted two airstrikes on Thursday in the Horn of Africa nation, killing at least eight Al-Shabaab commanders linked to the manufacturing of explosives besides coordinating attacks in the country."…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 November 2020

Incident Code

USSOM322

Location

غندرشي, Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A CIA paramilitary officer was killed in Somalia as a result of a joint ground raid with Somali special forces, it was later reported. Four elite Somali Danab troops also died during the event. Sources close to Al Shabaab first reported on the incident. Somali Memo said: "Reports from Gandarshe area say that a suicide…

Summary

Published
6 November 2020
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO), Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

18 October 2020

Incident Code

USSOM321

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
A US airstrike targeted an Al Shabaab member in Jilib, AFRICOM confirmed via email to Airwars. The response reads: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted one airstrike in Jilib, Somalia on Oct. 18 targeting one al-Shabaab terrorist. The command's initial assessment concluded this airstrike yielded no death or injuries…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 October 2020

Incident Code

USSOM320

Location

Weelshit, Gedo, Somalia
An unidentified airstrike allegedly killed ten or eleven Al Shabaab members in Weelshit. Strategic Intelligence wrote: "Unidentified aerial strike at 1145pm on 06.10.2020 killed 10 Terrorist who are members of the Al-Qaeda branch in Somalia, Harakat Shabaab al Mujahideen alongside their operations commander." It added: "The blitz in Weelshit, Gedo targeted Shabaab al Mujahideen terrorists…

Summary

Published
6 October 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
10–11
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 September 2020

Incident Code

USSOM319a

Location

Jana Cabdalle, Lower Juba, Somalia
A US airstrike targeted a vehicle in Jana Cabdalle, AFRICOM confirmed to Airwars via email. The Africa Command stated: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted one airstrike in Jana Cabdalle, Somalia on Sept. 21 to prevent a military vehicle from being commandeered by al-Shabaab terrorists. The command's initial assessment…

Summary

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