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

21 April 2025

Incident Code

USSOM473

Location

southeast of Bosasso, Puntland, Somalia
On April 21, 2025, AFRICOM announced that "At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted a collective self-defense airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on April 21, 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…

Summary

Published
5 December 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

18 April 2025

Incident Code

USSOM472

Location

In the Miraale Valley southeast of Bosasso, Puntland, Somalia
Early morning on Friday, 18 April 2025, an airstrike in the Miraale Valley southeast of Bosasso, Puntland, Somalia, was declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia. In a press release, US AFRICOM stated that they had conducted a “collective self-defense airstrike against ISIS-Somalia”, which was “at the…

Summary

Published
5 December 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

16 April 2025

Incident Code

USSOM470

Location

Somalia territorial waters, Somalia territorial waters, Somalia
On Wednesday, 16 April 2025, everyone aboard at least two alleged al-Shabaab vessels were killed in the territorial waters of Somalia, in an airstrike declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia. No civilians were officially reported as injured or killed in the strikes. In a press release,…

Summary

Published
5 December 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Boat)
Military actors reported killed
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

16 April 2025

Incident Code

USSOM471

Location

in the vicinity of Adan Yabaal, Middle Shabelle, Somalia
At night on Wednesday, 16 April 2025, 12 alleged Al-Shabaab militants were killed in the vicinity of Adan Yabaal district, Middle Shabelle, Somalia, in an airstrike declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia. No civilians were officially reported as injured or killed in the strikes. In a…

Summary

Published
5 December 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11 April 2025

Incident Code

USSOM469

Location

southeast of Bosasso, Puntland, Somalia
On Friday, 11 April 2025, one alleged ISIS-Somalia (Daesh) militant was killed approximately 50 miles southeast of Bosasso in Puntland State, Somalia, in an airstrike declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia. No civilians were officially reported as injured or killed in the strikes. Prior to the…

Summary

Published
5 December 2025
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

1 April 2025

Incident Code

USSOM468

Location

Miiraale Valley in the Calmiskaad mountains, Puntland, Somalia
On Tuesday, 1 April 2025, five alleged ISIS-Somalia (Daesh) militants were killed in the Al-Miskaad mountains southeast of Bosasso in Puntland State, Somalia, in an airstrike declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia. No civilians were officially reported as injured or killed in the strikes. In a…

Summary

Published
3 December 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident