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
454 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

27 May 2019

Incident Code

USSOM230

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
Reports emerged of a possible US airstrike in Jilib targeting a senior al Shabaab security commander, according to Voice of America (VOA) journalist Harun Maruf. Maruf - a journalist noted for his good sources within the Somali military - asserted on Twitter: "Hearing reports that an airstrike occurred in Jilib tonight targeting a senior Al-Shabaab…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 May 2019

Incident Code

USSOM229

Location

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia
The US military carried out a fresh airstrike targeting al Shabaab (rather than ISIS) in the Golis Mountains, according to a press release issued by US Africa Command. The strike killed three al Shabaab fighters, AFRICOM asserted - saying that it currently assessed that no civilians had been harmed in the attack. This marked the…

Summary

Published
26 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 May 2019

Incident Code

USSOM228

Location

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia
The US military carried out an airstrike in the Golis Mountains, according to a press release from US Africa Command. Unusually for recent strikes in the area, the attack targeted al Shabaab rather than ISIS according to AFRICOM. The strike reportedly killed three al Shabaab fighters, with AFRICOM saying that it currently assessed no civilians had…

Summary

Published
24 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

22 May 2019

Incident Code

USSOM226

Location

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia
The US military carried out an airstrike targeting alleged ISIS-Somalia terrorists in the Golis Mountains, according to a press release issued by US Africa Command. The strike killed two fighters from ISIS-Somalia it was asserted, with AFRICOM currently assessing that no civilians had been harmed. "This is the fifth precision airstrike against ISIS-Somalia since April…

Summary

Published
22 May 2019
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

22 May 2019

Incident Code

USSOM227

Location

Beled Amin, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The US military carried out an airstrike near Baled Amin in the Lower Shabelle region, according to a press release issued 48 hours later by US Africa Command. The strike killed two al Shabaab fighters according to AFRICOM, which also asserted that it currently determined that no civilians had been harmed in the attack. "Al-Shabaab…

Summary

Published
22 May 2019
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

17–18 May, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM225

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
A suspected US drone carried out double airstrikes in Somalia’s Middle Juba region, killing 20 al Shabaab fighters in total, Mareeg Media reported. According to Mareeg: “A suspected US drone has carried out double air strikes targeting towns held by al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab in south of Somalia. The strikes were conducted in Bu’ale and…

Summary

Published
17 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident