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 Date Publication Date

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
View Incident

Incident Date

31 May 2025

Incident Code

USSOM487

Location

75 km south of Bosasso, Bari, Somalia

Summary

Published
31 May 2025
View Incident

Incident Date

1 January 2025

Incident Code

USSOM452b

Location

Beerhani and Qudus areas, Lower Juba, Somalia
31 al-Shabaab militants were killed by alleged US airstrikes in support of the Somali National Army in the Beerhani and Qudus areas of Lower Juba, Somalia on January 1, 2025. The official Somali National Army Radio posted on Facebook announcing that "On January 1, an airstrike in the Beerhani and Qudus areas of Lower Juba…

Summary

Published
11 April 2025
View Incident

Incident Date

31 December 2024

Incident Code

USSOM452a

Location

Cal Miskaad mountains, Bari, Somalia
Multiple ISIS militants were killed by an alleged joint operation carried out by Puntland forces and the US military in the Cal Miskaad mountains on December 31, 2024. Shafaq News reported that "the Puntland Security Force (PSF), together with the US Air Force, carried out a joint operation on Tuesday targeting ISIS positions in the…

Summary

Published
11 April 2025
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2025

Incident Code

USSOM453a

Location

Sixna area, Qandala district , Bari, Somalia
Four civilians, two women and two children, were killed and at least one other, a child, and up to six others were injured by an alleged US drone/air strike in the Sixna area of the Qandala district of Puntland on 28 January, 2025. Those killed were from the Reer Yusuf Mohamud Salah family; amongst them…

Summary

Published
28 January 2025
View Incident

Incident Date

31 December 2024

Incident Code

USSOM452

Location

Beer Xaani, Lower Juba, Somalia
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced an airstrike against Al-Shabaab militants on 31 December 2024, in Beer Xaani. The strike, occurring “at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia” was declared a “collective self-defense” operation. At least 10 members of Al-Shabaab were reported killed; Somali forces fighting the group were evacuated. The Somali…

Summary

Published
31 December 2024
View Incident