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
453 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

19 July 2019

Incident Code

USSOM237b-C

Location

Shanta Baraako, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Two civilian were reported killed by US ground troops near Shanta Baraako in an apparent distortion of an In These Times investigation. AFRICOM later discounted the allegation. The In These Times report alleged that Waliyo Cali Qaasim and Abdikadir Ali were killed by Danab special forces in a counter-terrorism operation. In a post in the…

Summary

Published
12 July 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

18 July 2019

Incident Code

USSOM239

Location

Outside Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
A reported US drone strike killed al Shabaab's head of domestic intelligence in a night time action near Kunyo Barrow.  While the action was apparently confirmed by Somali military radio, AFRICOM did not declare a strike on this date - indicating a possible CIA action. Voice of America reporter Harun Maruf first mentioned the strike…

Summary

Published
18 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

14 July 2019

Incident Code

USSOM238

Location

Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US air support was potentially involved in an operation to retake areas of the Lower Shabelle region which killed 15 al Shabaab fighters, Radio Shabelle reported. Colonel Mohamed Abdullahi Arale confirmed to state media that the Somali National Army had retaken Yaaqbari Weyne, MadaxMarodi and Lego villages. Colonel Arale reportedly said that his troops had…

Summary

Published
14 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
15
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11 July 2019

Incident Code

USSOM237a-C

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
Al Shabaab members or civilians were allegedly killed in US strikes near Jilib and Basra. AFRICOM later denied conducting strikes in the area. Harun Maruf reported: "Overnight airstrikes killed dozens of Al-Shabaab militants in Jilib, Cmdr of AS’s Hisba police station in the town, Hassan Dhere, his deputy and a 3rd official among the dead,…

Summary

Published
11 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
12–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 July 2019

Incident Code

USSOM237-C

Location

Iskushuban or Mareero, Bari, Somalia
According to a local source, heavy fighting near the port of Bari in Puntland killed two people and injured five others, including civilians. AFRICOM later declared that "no U.S. military strike took place on the alleged date or location." Radio Shabelle initially said that an airstrike by an unknown party had contributed to the violence…

Summary

Published
3 July 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
1–5
Military actors reported killed
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 June 2019

Incident Code

USSOM236-C

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
A named man, Abow Ali Wardi (or Wardiyow), was widely reported killed in a US targeted strike near Kunyo Barrow. While there were some local claims that the victim was a non combatant, AFRICOM later insisted the target was "an al-Shabaab facilitator" and that "It is assessed with a high degree of confidence that civilian…

Summary

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