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
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

15 March 2025

Incident Code

USSOM464

Location

150 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, Lower or Middle Shabelle, Somalia
On Saturday, March 15 2025, six alleged al-Shabaab militants were killed 150 kilometers north east of Mogadishu, Somalia, in an airstrike declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia. In a statement released on March 17, AFRICOM confirmed the airstrike which was “at the request of the Federal…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
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Incident Date

1 March 2025

Incident Code

USSOM460

Location

Vicinity of Ceel Baraf, Middle Shabelle, Somalia
At night on Saturday, 1 March 2025, at least five alleged al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Ceel Baraf, Middle Shabelle, Somalia, were killed in two airstrikes declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces reportedly at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia. No civilians were officially reported as injured or killed in the…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
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Incident Date

25 February 2025

Incident Code

USSOM459

Location

Vicinity of Al-Kowthar, Middle Shabelle, Somalia
On Tuesday, 25 February 2025, up to 19 alleged al-Shabaab militants were killed in the Al-Kowthar region, in an airstrike declared by US Africa Command forces in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia. US AFRICOM released a statement terming the airstrike as “collective self-defense” at the request of the Somali government, and that the…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
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Incident Date

21–22 February, 2025

Incident Code

USSOM458a

Location

Gaatir-Oodan, Bari, Somalia
Beginning at around 9pm on Friday through midnight into Saturday, 21st and 22nd February 2025, at least three alleged ISIS-Somalia militants were killed in two successive airstrikes declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration with the Somali federal government. No civilians were officially reported as injured or killed in the strikes. The official…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
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Incident Date

20 February 2025

Incident Code

USSOM458

Location

Buloburde district, Hiiraan, Somalia
On Thursday, February 20 2025, airstrikes were declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration with the Somali National Army, reportedly against al-Shabaab forces near Buloburde district in the Hiiraan region of Hirshabelle state. No civilians or militants were officially reported as injured or killed in the strikes. The strikes were officially confirmed by…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
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Incident Date

12 February 2025

Incident Code

USSOM456

Location

Sheebaab, Bari, Somalia
On the evening of February 12, 2025 in the Sheebaab region of the Cal Miskaad mountains of the northern Puntland province of Bari, over 30 ISIS militants were killed in two joint airstrikes allegedly conducted by the US and UAE militaries, according to media and military sources. The militants, “most of whom were foreigners” of…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
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