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

13 May 2020

Incident Code

USSOM308-C

Location

Araboow, Middle Juba, Somalia
Between one or two civilians were allegedly injured in US or Kenyan airstrike on Araboow. Halgan Media reported: "A series of blasts rocked a rural town of Araboow overnight in Somalia’s Middle Jubba province. The blasts said to be a result of a barrage of missiles fired down on the Militant controlled town. Sources that…

Summary

Published
13 May 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11 May 2020

Incident Code

USSOM307b

Location

Haway, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
One Al Shabaab member was allegedly killed in a US strike on Haway. The Horn Observer wrote: "A separate airstrike in Haway neighbourhood in Lower Shabelle region targeted another camp where the militant had gathered on Monday. Local sources and Mogadishu-based intel officers have told Horn Observer that Mustaf Ato, the special adviser of al-Shabaab's…

Summary

Published
11 May 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

11 May 2020

Incident Code

USSOM307a

Location

Jamaame, Middle Juba, Somalia
Several Al Shabaab members were allegedly killed by a US airstrike on Jamaame. The Horn Observer said: "Two mid level al-Shabaab officials are among several killed after a suspected U.S airstrikes targeted the group's strongholds in Jamame and in Haway in the country's southern regions of Lower Jubba and Lower Shabelle on Monday. According to…

Summary

Published
11 May 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
3–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

10 April 2020

Incident Code

USSOM307-C

Location

Kamsuuma, Lower Juba, Somalia
One elderly civilian, claimed by al Shabaab to be a tribal elder, was allegedly killed by a US airstrike in Kamsuuma. The US later pushed back heavily against the claim, insisting the victim was a terrorist. AFRICOM initially described the action - which it said killed one al Shabaab fighter - as a response to…

Summary

Published
10 April 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 April 2020

Incident Code

USSOM306

Location

جيليب, Kobon, Lower Juba, Somalia
Ten Al Shabaab members were reportedly killed by a US airstrike near Kobon. AFRICOM stated in its press release: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against al-Shabaab terrorists who engaged U.S. partner forces, Somali National Army Danab, and Jubaland Security Force, near Kobon, Somalia, Apr.…

Summary

Published
9 April 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 April 2020

Incident Code

USSOM305-C

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
Three civilians were killed and one child injured by a US airstrike near Jilib, according to a number of local sources. Mareeg said that at least two civilians had been killed. Halgan Media claimed the following: "Suspected US drones launched a series of strikes overnight bombing the Al Shabaab controlled town of Jilib in the…

Summary

Published
6 April 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–3
Military actors reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident