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

25 August 2020

Incident Code

USSOM316

Location

Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia
One senior Al Shabaab member was allegedly killed by US airstrike on Saakow. AFRICOM said in its press release: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab senior leader in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, on Aug. 25. The command's initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed…

Summary

Published
25 August 2020
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Incident Date

24 August 2020

Incident Code

USSOM315a

Location

Darusalaam, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
دار السلام
Six Al Shabaab members were allegedly killed and three more injured by a US strike in combination with a US/Somali ground operation near Darusalaam. Local sources claimed US soldiers had been injured which AFRICOM denied. A report from Halgan Media said: "US trained Somali paramilitary forces, commonly referred to as “Danab” carried out counter terrorism…

Summary

Published
24 August 2020
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Incident Date

20 August 2020

Incident Code

USSOM315

Location

IVO Kurtun Warey, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
One Al Shabaab member was allegedly killed by a US airstrike near Kurtun Warey. AFRICOM said in its press release: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting one terrorist in the vicinity of Kurtun Warey, Somalia, Aug. 20. The terrorist, who has a history of working with…

Summary

Published
20 August 2020
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Incident Date

8 August 2020

Incident Code

USSOM314

Location

Sablale, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A high-ranking Al Shabaab operative was allegedly killed by a possible US drone strike in Sablale. Mareeg reported: "A suspected US drone has carried out two airstrikes targeting high-ranking al Shabaab operatives in southern regions of Somalia. [...] The 2nd strike also killed a high-ranking al Shabaab operative identified as Ahmed Nour near Sablale town…

Summary

Published
8 August 2020
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Incident Date

8 August 2020

Incident Code

USSOM313

Location

Haway, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A senior Al Shabaab operative was allegedly killed by a possible US drone strike in Haway. Mareeg reported: "A suspected US drone has carried out two airstrikes targeting high-ranking al Shabaab operatives in southern regions of Somalia. The first strike has targeted a senior Al Shabaab commander, whose name has been released as Daahir Mo’alin…

Summary

Published
8 August 2020
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Incident Date

29 July 2020

Incident Code

USSOM312-C

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
جيليب
The US military reported on the same day that it had conducted an airstrike against al Shabaab fighters in the town of Jilib. However it was locally claimed that the attack had killed three young children, whose bodies were shown on social media. In a press release published on the evening of the attack, AFRICOM…

Summary

Published
29 July 2020
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