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

29 January 2026

Incident Code

USSOM575

Location

approximately 56 km southwest of Mogadishu, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
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Incident Date

30 January 2026

Incident Code

USSOM576

Location

in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 43 km southeast of Bossaso, Bari, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
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Incident Date

1 February 2026

Incident Code

USSOM577

Location

in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 40 km southeast of Bossaso, Bari, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
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Incident Date

21–22 January, 2026

Incident Code

USSOM571

Location

in the vicinity of Koday, approximately 100 km southwest of Kismaayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
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Incident Date

23–24 January, 2026

Incident Code

USSOM572

Location

in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 40 km southeast of Bossaso, Bari, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
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Incident Date

25–26 January, 2026

Incident Code

USSOM573

Location

in the vicinity of Godane, approximately 58 km northeast of Mogadishu, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

Summary

Published
4 May 2026
View Incident