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

22 November 2024

Incident Code

USSOM445

Location

Haway area, near the town of Sablale, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Senior al-Shabaab leaders were reportedly killed by an airstrike near the town of Sablale in the Lower Shabelle Region of Somalia on 22 November, 2024; at least 12 deaths were recorded—three commanders and “several senior leaders” were included in the count. The strike was allegedly perpetrated in part by the Somali National Army; sources also…

Summary

Published
22 November 2024
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Incident Date

15 July 2024

Incident Code

USSOM438

Location

Ceel Dheere (El Dheer) district, Galgudud, Somalia
On July 15, 2024, 10-50 al-Shabab militants were killed by a declared US airstrike in the Ceel Dheere (El Dheer) district of the Galguduud region of Central Somalia, according to media and military reports. There is indication an al-Shabab ground operation near the town of El-Dheer precipitated a “self defense” airstrike by the United States…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
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Incident Date

31 May 2024

Incident Code

USSOM433

Location

In the vicinity of Dhaardaar, approximately 81 km southeast of Bosaso, Somalia
In conjunction with the Somali government, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted a strike against Islamic State militants on 31 May, 2024 in “a remote area in the vicinity of Dhaardaar”. AFRICOM reported that the strike had killed three IS militants, “with no civilian casualties”. X/Twitter user @ZakeriyeAxmed reported that the strike targeted IS leader and…

Summary

Published
31 May 2024
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Incident Date

10 March 2024

Incident Code

USSOM425

Location

Ugunji, Qoryooley, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A source affiliated with al-Shabaab reported that five civilian farmers were killed by a "US and Somali special forces" operation in Lower Shabelle on March 10th while US Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced that they had killed three al-Shabaab militants in airstrikes "in the vicinity of Ugunji." AFRICOM declared their involvement in the strike on March…

Summary

Published
27 December 2024
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Incident Date

7 March 2024

Incident Code

USSOM424

Location

on the border between Lower Shabelle and Middle Jubba regions in southern Somalia, Somalia
Halbeeg News reported that at least six al-Shabaab fighters were killed in a suspected US airstrike which destroyed technical vehicles as well as an arsenal on the border between Lower Shabelle and Middle Jubba regions in southern Somalia on March 7, 2024. According to Halqabsi News, six al-Shabaab bases were struck and killed several high-ranking…

Summary

Published
27 December 2024
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Incident Date

2 March 2024

Incident Code

USSOM423

Location

in a remote area in the vicinity approximately 45 km northeast of Kismayo, Somalia
Two al-Shabaab militants were reportedly killed by declared US airstrikes approximately 45 km northeast of Kismayo in Somalia on March 2, 2024. US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) released a statement on March 4th declaring their involvement: "At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense against the al Shabaab…

Summary

Published
27 December 2024
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