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
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

19 January 2021

Incident Code

USSOM332

Location

Deb Scinnele, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A US airstrike alelgedly killed Al Shabaab fighter near Deb Scinnele, according to AFRICOM. The press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted two airstrikes in the vicinities of Jamaame and Deb Scinnele, Somalia, Jan. 19. Initial assessments indicate the strikes killed three al-Shabaab operatives. The command’s…

Summary

Published
19 January 2021
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Incident Date

19 January 2021

Incident Code

USSOM331-C

Location

Jamaame, Lower Juba, Somalia
One civilian was allegedly killed in a US airstrike on Jamaame. Halgan Media said: "US drones just bombed the town of Jamaame in the Lower Jubba province of Somalia and killed a prominent Clan elder named Mohamed Abbas, who died instantly when a missile from a US drone hit his home - Sources." Somali Memo,…

Summary

Published
19 January 2021
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Incident Date

18 January 2021

Incident Code

USSOM330

Location

Tiyeeglow, Bakool, Somalia
A US airstrike targeted an Al Shabaab compound in Tiyeeglow, according to AFRICOM. The press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted one airstrike in the vicinity of Tiyeeglow, Somalia, Jan. 18, 2021. Initial assessments indicate the strike destroyed one al-Shabaab compound. The command’s initial assessment is…

Summary

Published
18 January 2021
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Incident Date

13 January 2021

Incident Code

USSOM329

Location

Buulo Fulaay, Bay, Somalia
A US airstrike allegedly killed one Al Shabaab fighter near Buulo Fulaay. The AFRICOM press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted one airstrike in the vicinity of Buulo Fulaay, Somalia Jan. 13, 2021. Initial assessments indicate the strike killed one al-Shabaab personnel and destroyed one compound.…

Summary

Published
13 January 2021
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Incident Date

7 January 2021

Incident Code

USSOM328

Location

Saaxa Weyne, Bay, Somalia
Five Al Shabaab member were allegedly killed by a US airstrike on Saaxa Weyne. The press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted one airstrike in the vicinity of Saaxa Weyne, Somalia, Jan. 7, 2021. Initial assessments indicate the strike killed five al-Shabaab members including the targeted…

Summary

Published
7 January 2021
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Incident Date

1 January 2021

Incident Code

USSOM327-C

Location

Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
Two civilians were allegedly wounded in two US airstrikes on Kunya Barrow. Radio Al Furqaan, the Al Shabaab-affiliated radio station bombed in the incident, said: "On Friday afternoon, January 1, 2021, US warplanes bombed the headquarters of Al-Furqan Islamic Radio in Kunya Barrow, Lower Shabelle region, destroying the station's building and equipment. There were no…

Summary

Published
1 January 2021
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