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

5 April 2020

Incident Code

USSOM302

Location

مبارك, Mubarak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Eight Al Shabaab militants were allegedly killed by three US strikes near Mubaraak. The AFRICOM press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted three (3) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Mubaraak, Somalia, Apr. 5. The command's initial assessment concluded these airstrikes killed eight (8) terrorists.…

Summary

Published
5 April 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 April 2020

Incident Code

USSOM303

Location

مبارك, Mubarak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Eight Al Shabaab militants were allegedly killed by three US strikes near Mubaraak. The AFRICOM press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted three (3) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Mubaraak, Somalia, Apr. 5. The command's initial assessment concluded these airstrikes killed eight (8) terrorists.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 April 2020

Incident Code

USSOM304

Location

مبارك, Mubarak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Eight Al Shabaab militants were allegedly killed by three US strikes near Mubaraak. The AFRICOM press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted three (3) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Mubaraak, Somalia, Apr. 5. The command's initial assessment concluded these airstrikes killed eight (8) terrorists.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 April 2020

Incident Code

USSOM301

Location

Bush Madina, Bay, Somalia
Five Al Shabaab members were reportedly killed by a US strike near Bush Madina. The AFRICOM press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Bush Madina, Somalia, April 3. The command's initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed five (5)…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 April 2020

Incident Code

USSOM300

Location

Bush Madina, Bay, Somalia
Three Al Shabaab fighters were allegedly killed in a US airstrike near Bush Madina. The AFRICOM press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Bush Madina, Somalia, April 2. The command's initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed three (3)…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 March 2020

Incident Code

USSOM299-C

Location

near Buulo Fuulay, Bay, Somalia
Two civilians were killed in a US strike near Buulo Fuulay, according to a pro Al Shabaab outlet. Somali Memo wrote: "More details about the bombings of US warplanes hit the Bay region in southern Somalia on Wednesday night. Drones bombed a scooter with two civilians Saturday night, the killed were forced out of Buhodle…

Summary

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