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

17–18 May, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM224

Location

Bu'aale, 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

Incident Date

13 May 2019

Incident Code

USSOM223

Location

Buusaar, Gedo, Somalia
Local sources alleged that a night time airstrike by an unknown party had targeted al Shabaab at Buusaar in Gedo. According to Ilwared, "Reports reaching us from Gedo region in southern Somalia say that military planes carried out airstrikes last night as residents told Radio Kulmiye. The planes were reportedly targeting Al-Shabaab bases in Buusar, Gedo…

Summary

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

Incident Date

9 May 2019

Incident Code

USSOM221

Location

Jamaame, Lower Juba, Somalia
According to local sources, an airstrike by an unknown party targeted a ‘foreign al Shabaab commander’ around dawn on May 9th 2019. According to Horn Globe, “A second huge blast was heard in Jamame town, around dawn. The target of the second air attack was al-Shabaab commander in charge of planning operations, a Somali intelligence officer…

Summary

Published
9 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 May 2019

Incident Code

USSOM222

Location

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia
The US military carried out a "precision airstrike" targeting an ISIS-Somalia encampment in the Golis Mountains, according to a press release issued the following day by US Africa Command. AFRICOM said it had assessed that the strke killed four members of ISIS-Somalia and that no civilians were harmed. "At this time, it is assessed the…

Summary

Published
9 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9–10 May, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM222a-C

Location

Farsooley, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
"Multiple civilians" were alleged killed in a claimed US airstrike on Farsooley, according to reports which appeared to have originated with al Shabaab. AFRICOM publicly rejected the claim a year later. Hussein Mohamed, a local journalist stringing for the New York Times and others, tweeted on May 10th that "Al Shabab media reported that US…

Summary

Published
10 May 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
13
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

8 May 2019

Incident Code

USSOM220

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
According to local sources, an airstrike by an unknown party targeted a 'foreign al Shabaab commander' close to midnight on May 8th 2019. According to Horn Globe, "United States military has carried out at least two air strikes targeting al-Shabaab militant group’s bases in Jilib and Jamame town on Wednesday night, locals sources said. The first…

Summary

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