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

24 February 2020

Incident Code

USSOM282-C

Location

the Masalanja farm near the village of Kumbareere, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US declared on the same date an airstrike in the vicinity of Jilib - which it said had killed "one terrorist." However local sources, some pro al Shabaab, said the victim was in fact Mohamud Haji Sirad, a director of the Hormud telecoms company for Middle Juba. According to the Somali Guardian Mr Sirad…

Summary

Published
24 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 February 2020

Incident Code

USSOM281

Location

Dujuuma, Middle Juba, Somalia
Three Al Shaabab fighters were injured in a US airstrike near Dujuuma, according to both the Somali government and AFRICOM. A US military press release issued the same day stated: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab compound in the vicinity of Dujuuma, Somalia, Feb.…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 February 2020

Incident Code

USSOM280

Location

سااكوو, Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia
Two Al Shabaab members were killed and another wounded in two or more US airstrikes near Saakow, according to AFRICOM. The US later said the pair, a husband and wife, were both active terrorists within al Shabaab. The initial press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an…

Summary

Published
22 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

Incident Date

21 February 2020

Incident Code

USSOM279a

Location

سااكوو, Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia
In an event not publicly disclosed at the time, US Africa Command conducted a strike in the vicinity of Saakow on February 21st, which it later said "did not result in any terrorist deaths, injuries or damage to equipment and infrastructure. Nor did we assess any civilians were killed or injured." The strike came to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 February 2020

Incident Code

USSOM279

Location

Wadajir, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Three Al Shabaab fighters were allegedly killed in a US airstike near Wadajir, according to AFRICOM. The US military's press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a precision airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Wadajir, Somalia, Feb. 19. The command’s initial assessment concluded this precision airstrike…

Summary

Published
19 February 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

17 February 2020

Incident Code

USSOM278-C

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
Two civilians, including a child, were reportedly injured in a US airstrike on Jilib. AFRICOM later admitted that the strike led to civilian harm. Somali Memo, a news site close to Al Shabaab, wrote: "Reports from Jilib district say that a drone crashed into a civilian residence yesterday, killing no one but injuring two civilians,…

Summary

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