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
447 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

20 February 2025

Incident Code

USSOM458

Location

in the vicinity of Bulo Burti (Buloburde), Hiran, Somalia
On Thursday, February 20 2025, airstrikes were declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration with the Somali National Army, reportedly against al-Shabaab forces near Bulo Burte district in the Hiraan region of Hirshabelle state. No civilians or militants were officially reported as injured or killed in the strikes. The strikes were officially confirmed…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

16 February 2025

Incident Code

USSOM457

Location

Northeast Somalia, Calmiskaad (Al-miskat) Mountains, Puntland, Somalia
On Sunday afternoon, February 16 2025, at least two alleged Daesh (ISIS) militants in the Darar Madobe/Godka Kunle area of the Cal Miskaad Mountains, Bari, in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland, were killed in an airstrike declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in a joint operation with the Federal Government of Somalia and Puntland regional security…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
2–16
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 February 2025

Incident Code

USSOM456

Location

Sheebaab area of the Calmiskaad mountains, Puntland, Somalia
On the evening of February 12, 2025 in the Sheebaab region of the Cal Miskaad mountains of the northern Puntland province of Bari, over 30 ISIS militants were killed in two joint airstrikes allegedly conducted by the US and UAE militaries, according to media and military sources. The militants, “most of whom were foreigners” of…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
31
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1 February 2025

Incident Code

USSOM454

Location

approximately 50 miles southeast of Bosaso, Puntland, Somalia
During the morning of Saturday, 01 February 2025, at least 14 alleged ISIS-Somalia (Daesh) militants, including at least one alleged senior militant commander, were killed in the Cal Miskaad range of the Golis Mountains, approximately 50 miles southeast of Bosasso in Puntland State, Somalia, in airstrikes declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration…

Summary

Published
3 December 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
14–40
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

28 January 2025

Incident Code

USSOM453a

Location

Sixna area, rural Qandala district , Puntland, Somalia
Four civilians, two women and two children, were killed and at least one other, a child, and up to six others were injured by an alleged US drone/air strike in the Sixna area of the Qandala district of Puntland on 28 January, 2025. Those killed were from the Reer Yusuf Mohamud Salah family; amongst them…

Summary

Published
28 January 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, Agriculture (Livestock)
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
1–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1 January 2025

Incident Code

USSOM452b

Location

Beerhani and Qudus areas, Lower Juba, Somalia
31 al-Shabaab militants were killed by alleged US airstrikes in support of the Somali National Army in the Beerhani and Qudus areas of Lower Juba, Somalia on January 1, 2025. The official Somali National Army Radio posted on Facebook announcing that "On January 1, an airstrike in the Beerhani and Qudus areas of Lower Juba…

Summary

Published
11 April 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
31
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident