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

8 August 2020

Incident Code

USSOM313

Location

Haway, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A senior Al Shabaab operative was allegedly killed by a possible US drone strike in Haway. Mareeg reported: "A suspected US drone has carried out two airstrikes targeting high-ranking al Shabaab operatives in southern regions of Somalia. The first strike has targeted a senior Al Shabaab commander, whose name has been released as Daahir Mo’alin…

Summary

Published
8 August 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

8 August 2020

Incident Code

USSOM314

Location

Sablale, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A high-ranking Al Shabaab operative was allegedly killed by a possible US drone strike in Sablale. Mareeg reported: "A suspected US drone has carried out two airstrikes targeting high-ranking al Shabaab operatives in southern regions of Somalia. [...] The 2nd strike also killed a high-ranking al Shabaab operative identified as Ahmed Nour near Sablale town…

Summary

Published
8 August 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 July 2020

Incident Code

USSOM312-C

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US military reported on the same day that it had conducted an airstrike against al Shabaab fighters in the town of Jilib. However it was locally claimed that the attack had killed three young children, whose bodies were shown on social media. In a press release published on the evening of the attack, AFRICOM…

Summary

Published
29 July 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
3
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 July 2020

Incident Code

USSOM311

Location

Timirshe, Bari, Somalia
Seven ISIS fighters were killed by a US airsrtrike near Timirshe, according to AFRICOM. The press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia terrorists after they attacked partner forces in a remote location near Timirshe, Somalia, July 21. Timirshe is located 140 kilometers southeast…

Summary

Published
21 July 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
7–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 July 2020

Incident Code

USSOM310

Location

Vicinity of Hantiwadaag, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The Somali government and US Africa Command declared the first US action in 53 days, reporting an airstrike on an al Shabaab checkpoint in the vicinity of Hantiwadaag, in Lower Shabelle. One alleged militant was reported killed. Declaring the attack, Somalia's Ministry of Information said the strike had taken place in the afternoon. "The FGS,…

Summary

Published
9 July 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

17 May 2020

Incident Code

USSOM309-C

Location

حرمك, Near Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
Six civilians were allegedly injured after a US airstrike near Kunya Barrow. Somali Memo, a news outlet close to Al Shabaab, said: "Last night, Drone planes bombed a civilian residence in the town of Kunya Barrow. Sources say several missiles hit the home and injure four civilians, including a mother and three children. The injured…

Summary

Published
17 May 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident