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

7 March 2020

Incident Code

USSOM288

Location

غندرشي, Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Four Al Shabaab members were allegedly killed in a US airstrike near Gandarshe, AFRICOM declared. The official press release asserted: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab camp in vicinity of Gandarshe, Somalia, Mar. 7. The command's initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed four (4) terrorists. We…

Summary

Published
7 March 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
4
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 March 2020

Incident Code

USSOM287-C

Location

حرمك, Near Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
Two civilians including a named woman were reported injured by a US airstrike near Kunya Barrow. Halgan Media noted: "A pro militant mouthpiece dubbed Somali Memo claimed a mother of 5 children was wounded in the drone strike, when reigned down on there home overnight. According to Somali Memo, the victim has been identified as…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 March 2020

Incident Code

USSOM286

Location

حرمك, Vicinity of Kunya Barrow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Both US Africa Command and the Somali government declared on the same day two airstrikes in the vicinity of Kunya Barrow. There were no known local claims of associated civilian harm. According to the AFRICOM press release, "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two (2) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab terrorists…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 March 2020

Incident Code

USSOM285

Location

حرمك, Vicinity of Kunya Barrow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Both US Africa Command and the Somali government declared on the same day two airstrikes in the vicinity of Kunya Barrow. There were no known local claims of associated civilian harm. According to the AFRICOM press release, "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two (2) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab terrorists…

Summary

Published
2 March 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

28 February 2020

Incident Code

USSOM283-C

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Two airstrikes were declared the same day by US Africa Command, in partnership with the Somali government, which were said to have targeted al Shabaab in the vicinity of Kunya Barrow. According to two pro Shabaab sources, at least one of the strikes targeted Kunya Barrow itself - alleging that a 70 year old woman…

Summary

Published
28 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
0–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

28 February 2020

Incident Code

USSOM284

Location

حرمك, Vicinity of Kunya Barrow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Two airstrikes were declared the same day by US Africa Command, in partnership with the Somali government, which reportedly targeted al Shabaab in the vicinity of Kunya Barrow. According to the AFRICOM press release, “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two (2) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity…

Summary

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