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

6 February 2020

Incident Code

USSOM276

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
An Al Shabaab facility was hit by a US airstrike near Jilib, according to AFRICOM. The press statement, released two days later, asserted: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two (2) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab terrorists and a compound in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia, Feb. 6... Initial assessments conclude…

Summary

Published
6 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 February 2020

Incident Code

USSOM277

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
One Al Shabaab fighter was allegedly killed and two more injured by a US airstrike near Jilib. AFRICOM confirmed conducting the strike two days later, one of a pair that day: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two (2) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab terrorists and a compound in the vicinity…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 February 2020

Incident Code

USSOM275

Location

Vicinity of Beer Xani, Lower Juba, Somalia
US Africa Command reported an airstrike in the vicinity of Beer Xaani on February 4th which it said had killed one terrorist. The attack came a day after Somali troops in the town had come under attack from al Shabaab. According to AFRICOM's release: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command…

Summary

Published
4 February 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

3 February 2020

Incident Code

USSOM274a

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
In an event not publicly disclosed at the time, US Africa Command conducted a strike in the vicinity of Jilib on February 3rd, 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
3 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 February 2020

Incident Code

USSOM274-C

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
US Africa Command declared on the same day that it had conducted an airstrike "in the vicinity of Jilib" which it said had killed "one (1) terrorist." However local reports said that one young woman was killed and two or three other women injured in the event in Jilib town, which AFRICOM later acknowledged. According…

Summary

Published
2 February 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1 February 2020

Incident Code

USSOM273a

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
In an event not publicly disclosed at the time, US Africa Command conducted a strike in the vicinity of Jilib on February 1st, 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 light, along…

Summary

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