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 DatePublication Date

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
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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
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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
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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
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Incident Date

29 March 2025

Incident Code

USSOM467

Location

Vicinity of Bosasso, Bari, Somalia
On Saturday, 29 March 2025, six 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 and Puntland authorities. No civilians were officially reported as injured or killed in the…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
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Incident Date

25 March 2025

Incident Code

USSOM466

Location

Vicinity of Golis Mountains, Bari, Somalia
At night on Tuesday, 25 March 2025, 35 alleged Daesh (ISIS) militants were killed in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains of the Marodijeex Region, Somalia, in airstrikes 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.…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
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