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

1 January 2021

Incident Code

USSOM326-C

Location

Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
حرمك
Two civilians were initially reported wounded in two US airstrikes on Kunya Barrow, local reports claimed. AFRICOM later confirmed that three civilians were in fact injured in the attack. Radio Al Furqaan, the Al Shabaab-affiliated radio station bombed in the incident, said at the time: "On Friday afternoon, January 1, 2021, US warplanes bombed the…

Summary

Published
1 January 2021
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Incident Date

24 December 2020

Incident Code

USSOM325

Location

Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia
سااكوو
A US airstrike targeted Al Shabaab fighters near Saakow. The AFRICOM press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted one (1) airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab compound in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, Dec. 24. The initial assessment concluded the strike damaged the compound and several al-Shabaab fighters fled,…

Summary

Published
24 December 2020
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Incident Date

21 December 2020

Incident Code

USSOM324a

Location

Burr Heybo, Bay, Somalia
A US airstrike targeted Al Shabaab in Burr Heybo, AFRICOM told Airwars via email. The correspondence reads: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted one airstrike in Burr Heybo, Somalia on Dec. 21 targeting two (2) al-Shabaab terrorist. The command's initial assessment concluded this airstrike yielded no death or injuries…

Summary

Published
21 December 2020
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Incident Date

11 December 2020

Incident Code

USSOM324

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
Two US airstrikes reportedly killed between eight and ten Al Shabaab fighters near Jilib. Garowe reported: "Amid plans to withdraw from Somalia, the US Africa Command conducted two airstrikes on Thursday in the Horn of Africa nation, killing at least eight Al-Shabaab commanders linked to the manufacturing of explosives besides coordinating attacks in the country."…

Summary

Published
10 December 2020
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Incident Date

11 December 2020

Incident Code

USSOM323

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
Two US airstrikes reportedly killed between eight and ten Al Shabaab fighters near Jilib. Garowe reported: "Amid plans to withdraw from Somalia, the US Africa Command conducted two airstrikes on Thursday in the Horn of Africa nation, killing at least eight Al-Shabaab commanders linked to the manufacturing of explosives besides coordinating attacks in the country."…

Summary

Published
10 December 2020
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Incident Date

6 November 2020

Incident Code

USSOM322

Location

Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
غندرشي
A CIA paramilitary officer was killed in Somalia as a result of a joint ground raid with Somali special forces, it was later reported. Four elite Somali Danab troops also died during the event. Sources close to Al Shabaab first reported on the incident. Somali Memo said: "Reports from Gandarshe area say that a suicide…

Summary

Published
6 November 2020
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