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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

18 October 2020

Incident Code

USSOM321

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
A US airstrike targeted an Al Shabaab member in Jilib, AFRICOM confirmed via email to Airwars. The response reads: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted one airstrike in Jilib, Somalia on Oct. 18 targeting one al-Shabaab terrorist. The command's initial assessment concluded this airstrike yielded no death or injuries…

Summary

Published
18 October 2020
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Incident Date

6 October 2020

Incident Code

USSOM320

Location

Weelshit, Gedo, Somalia
An unidentified airstrike allegedly killed ten or eleven Al Shabaab members in Weelshit. Strategic Intelligence wrote: "Unidentified aerial strike at 1145pm on 06.10.2020 killed 10 Terrorist who are members of the Al-Qaeda branch in Somalia, Harakat Shabaab al Mujahideen alongside their operations commander." It added: "The blitz in Weelshit, Gedo targeted Shabaab al Mujahideen terrorists…

Summary

Published
6 October 2020
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Incident Date

21 September 2020

Incident Code

USSOM319a

Location

Jana Cabdalle, Lower Juba, Somalia
A US airstrike targeted a vehicle in Jana Cabdalle, AFRICOM confirmed to Airwars via email. The Africa Command stated: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted one airstrike in Jana Cabdalle, Somalia on Sept. 21 to prevent a military vehicle from being commandeered by al-Shabaab terrorists. The command's initial assessment…

Summary

Published
21 September 2020
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Incident Date

20 September 2020

Incident Code

USSOM319-C

Location

Moyiloow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Eight civilians were allegedly killed in a joint US/Somali military operation near Tortorrow. Halgan Media said: "US trained Somali Paramilitary Forces (Danab) executed 8 civilians inside a Mosque during an overnight raid targeting the village of Moyiloow in the Lower Shabelle province of Somalia. All the victims where executed at close range. Two of them…

Summary

Published
20 September 2020
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Incident Date

9 September 2020

Incident Code

USSOM318

Location

Amreereey, Middle Juba, Somalia
An alleged US drone strike killed 17 Al Shabaab fighters near Amreereey. SNA, the Somali forces' radio, said that the strike "was carried out in collaboration with the Somali National Army and its international allies, took place in Amrerey area of Jilib district in Middle Juba region." It added: "The militants killed in the shelling…

Summary

Published
9 September 2020
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Incident Date

7 September 2020

Incident Code

USSOM317

Location

IVO Janay Abdalle, Lower Juba, Somalia
Several militants were allegedly killed or injured by an Al Shabaab VBIED and subsequent exchange of gunfire near Janay Cabdalle. The New York Times reported: "Three Somali military officers were killed and two others injured along with an American service member in a bombing in southern Somalia on Monday, the authorities said, the latest example…

Summary

Published
7 September 2020
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