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

16 January 2020

Incident Code

USSOM266

Location

حرمك, 25km north of Kunya Barrow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
United States Africa Command declared its second airstrike of 2020, stating in a press release issued on the same day that it had killed two al Shabaab terrorists "in the vicinity of Qunyo Barrow." SONNA, the official Somali agency, gave slightly more information on the action, stating that said the attack had taken place on…

Summary

Published
16 January 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

16 January 2020

Incident Code

USSOM267

Location

Wanlaweyn, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Somali officials reported the death of a senior al Shabaab commander during a gun battle at Wanlaweyn. It was not clear whether US forces had also participated in the raid. According to the Horn Observer, "The special forces known as DANAB raided the house of Mohamed Osman Hussein Buluush, a mlitant bomb expert in the…

Summary

Published
16 January 2020
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

7 January 2020

Incident Code

USSOM265

Location

Lafta Anole neighborhood, Lower Juba, Somalia
A Somali special forces military action backed by "international partners" killed 35 al Shabaab fighters in the vicinity of Lafta Anole neighborhood in Lower Juba, according to local and international media reports. Xinhua carried the most detailed report: "Hassan Mohamad Aden, commander of the Danab Forces in Jubbaland State, said a joint operation was conducted…

Summary

Published
7 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
35
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 January 2020

Incident Code

USSOM264

Location

Between Bacaw and Bariire, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
In its first declared action in Somalia of 2020, AFRICOM announced on the same day that "in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists who engaged Somali National Army partner forces on patrol near Bacaw." AFRICOM added that "At this time, it is assessed this precision…

Summary

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

Incident Date

29 December 2019

Incident Code

USSOM261-C

Location

Vicinity of Kunyo Barrow, Somalia
In retaliatory actions against al Al Shabaab for a mass casualty bombing in Mogadishu a day earlier, the United States said that it had conducted three strikes against al Shbaab commanders, killing four people in total.This entry relates to one of two strikes in the vicinity of Kunyo Barrow in Lower Shabelle. Al Shabaab itself…

Summary

Published
29 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 December 2019

Incident Code

USSOM262

Location

Vicinity of Kunyo Barrow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
In retaliatory strikes against al Al Shabaab for a mass casualty bombing in Mogadishu a day earlier, the United States said that it had conducted three strikes against al Shbaab commanders, killing four people in total. This entry relates to one of two strikes in the vicinity of Kunyo Barrow in Lower Shabelle. According to…

Summary

Published
29 December 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident