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

11 April 2019

Incident Code

USSOM213

Location

Garowle, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The US military carried out an airstrike in Garowle, Lower Shabelle region, according to a press release issued by US Africa Command the following day. The release asserted that two terrorists were killed in the strike, and that one motorcycle was also destroyed. It further noted that AFRICOM currently assessed that no civilians were harmed…

Summary

Published
11 April 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Unknown
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 April 2019

Incident Code

USSOM212

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US military carried out an airstrike in Jilib, Middle Juba region, according to a press release issued the following day by US Africa Command. AFRICOM asserted that one terrorist was killed in the strike, and that it currently assessed that no civilians were harmed in the action. For the first time and in the…

Summary

Published
9 April 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Unknown
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4 April 2019

Incident Code

USSOM211-C

Location

Ugunji, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A ground operation struck a minibus carrying civilians, killing one woman and injuring up to six others, local media reported. While one source claimed that the attack was conducted by drone, others said it was a ground operation, involving Somali and possibly also US troops. AFRICOM later denied responsibility for civilian harm on the grounds…

Summary

Published
4 April 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

22 March 2019

Incident Code

USSOM210

Location

Bu'aale, Middle Juba, Somalia
A reported precision airstrike by an unidentified aircraft at Buaale, Middle Juba was said to have killed up to 50 fighters with local Al Qaeda affiliate al Shabaab - along with a named senior leader. The event was first reported by Kenyan media - though reports did not identify which nation had conducted the alleged…

Summary

Published
22 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
40–50
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

18 March 2019

Incident Code

USSOM209-C

Location

Laantabuur or Abdow Dibile, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Up to four civilians were killed in a US strike in the Lower Shabelle region, international media and investigating NGOs reported from the ground, though US Africa Command claimed that the strike had only killed three "terrorists." It later again officially denied causing any civilian casualties. Initially, allegations of civilian harm came from a Reuters…

Summary

Published
18 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military actors reported killed
1–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15–16 March, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM208

Location

Jilib Marka, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A Mareeg Media report from March 16th 2019 asserted that US-backed Somali forces had carried out an "air and ground operation" near Marka Town in Jilib Marka, 91km southwest of Mogadishu. Citing anonymous Somali military officials, Mareeg said that "at least" 22 "militants" were killed in the operation, including 'senior al Shabaab commanders' Abu Yasin…

Summary

Published
16 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
22
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons, Unknown
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident