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

20 September 2020

Incident Code

USSOM319-C

Location

Moyiloow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Eight civilians were allegedly killed in a joint US/Somali military operation near Tortorrow. Halgan Media said: "US trained Somali Paramilitary Forces (Danab) executed 8 civilians inside a Mosque during an overnight raid targeting the village of Moyiloow in the Lower Shabelle province of Somalia. All the victims where executed at close range. Two of them…

Summary

Published
20 September 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
8
Military actors reported killed
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2020

Incident Code

USSOM318

Location

Amreereey, Middle Juba, Somalia
An alleged US drone strike killed 17 Al Shabaab fighters near Amreereey. SNA, the Somali forces' radio, said that the strike "was carried out in collaboration with the Somali National Army and its international allies, took place in Amrerey area of Jilib district in Middle Juba region." It added: "The militants killed in the shelling…

Summary

Published
9 September 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
17
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

7 September 2020

Incident Code

USSOM317

Location

IVO Janay Abdalle, Lower Juba, Somalia
Several militants were allegedly killed or injured by an Al Shabaab VBIED and subsequent exchange of gunfire near Janay Cabdalle. The New York Times reported: "Three Somali military officers were killed and two others injured along with an American service member in a bombing in southern Somalia on Monday, the authorities said, the latest example…

Summary

Published
7 September 2020
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
4–17
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 August 2020

Incident Code

USSOM316

Location

Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia
One senior Al Shabaab member was allegedly killed by US airstrike on Saakow. AFRICOM said in its press release: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab senior leader in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, on Aug. 25. The command's initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed…

Summary

Published
25 August 2020
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

24 August 2020

Incident Code

USSOM315a

Location

دار السلام, Darusalaam, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Six Al Shabaab members were allegedly killed and three more injured by a US strike in combination with a US/Somali ground operation near Darusalaam. Local sources claimed US soldiers had been injured which AFRICOM denied. A report from Halgan Media said: "US trained Somali paramilitary forces, commonly referred to as “Danab” carried out counter terrorism…

Summary

Published
24 August 2020
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
13–17
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

20 August 2020

Incident Code

USSOM315

Location

IVO Kurtun Warey, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
One Al Shabaab member was allegedly killed by a US airstrike near Kurtun Warey. AFRICOM said in its press release: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting one terrorist in the vicinity of Kurtun Warey, Somalia, Aug. 20. The terrorist, who has a history of working with…

Summary

Published
20 August 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident