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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

3 April 2020

Incident Code

USSOM301

Location

Bush Madina, Bay, Somalia
Five Al Shabaab members were reportedly killed by a US strike near Bush Madina. The AFRICOM press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Bush Madina, Somalia, April 3. The command's initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed five (5)…

Summary

Published
3 April 2020
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Incident Date

2 April 2020

Incident Code

USSOM300

Location

Bush Madina, Bay, Somalia
Three Al Shabaab fighters were allegedly killed in a US airstrike near Bush Madina. The AFRICOM press release said: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Bush Madina, Somalia, April 2. The command's initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed three (3)…

Summary

Published
2 April 2020
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Incident Date

27 March 2020

Incident Code

USSOM299-C

Location

near Buulo Fuulay, Bay, Somalia
Two civilians were killed in a US strike near Buulo Fuulay, according to a pro Al Shabaab outlet. Somali Memo wrote: "More details about the bombings of US warplanes hit the Bay region in southern Somalia on Wednesday night. Drones bombed a scooter with two civilians Saturday night, the killed were forced out of Buhodle…

Summary

Published
27 March 2020
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Incident Date

17–18 March, 2020

Incident Code

USSOM298a-C

Location

Beerta Xassan Huutaan, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Between one and two civilians were allegedly killed in a US and Somali forces raid or airstrike on Beerta Xassan Huutaan near Afgoye. The pro Al Shabaab outlet Halgan Media said: "Sources reveal US and Somali special forces raided a rural farming village outside the town of Afgoye in the Lower Shabelle province of Somalia.…

Summary

Published
17 March 2020
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Incident Date

15–17 March, 2020

Incident Code

USSOM294

Location

Vicinity of Janaale, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Several days after the events, US Africa Command press released that it had conducted five airstrikes in the vicinity of Janaale during March 16th-17th. Somali state media and government reported the same strikes but said they took place on March 15th-16th. AFRICOM said the actions were in support of ground operations by Somalia forces, while noting…

Summary

Published
15 March 2020
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Incident Date

15–17 March, 2020

Incident Code

USSOM295

Location

Vicinity of Janaale, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Several days after the events, US Africa Command press released that it had conducted five airstrikes in the vicinity of Janaale during March 16th-17th. Somali state media and government reported the same strikes but said they took place on March 15th-16th. AFRICOM said the actions were in support of ground operations by Somalia forces, while noting…

Summary

Published
15 March 2020
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