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

13 March 2019

Incident Code

USSOM207

Location

Malayle, between Bar Sanguni and Jamame, Lower Juba, Somalia
US Africa Command stated in a press release issued the following day that it carried out an airstrike in the vicinity of Malayle, Lower Juba region on March 13th 2019. AFRICOM stated unusually that it had carried out "a collective self-defense airstrike," explaining that "Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) were conducting a presence patrol in…

Summary

Published
13 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 March 2019

Incident Code

USSOM206

Location

Huley, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US Africa Command confirmed that it had carried out an airstrike on March 12th 2019 in the vicinity of Huley, Lower Shabelle Region. According to AFRICOM, the airstrike killed two "terrorists", and "at this time, it is assessed no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike." In September 2019, the TRT World Research Centre…

Summary

Published
12 March 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons, Unknown
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11 March 2019

Incident Code

USSOM205-C

Location

دار السلام, Darusalaam, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The US conducted a confirmed airstrike on March 11th 2019 in the vicinity of Dara Salaam near Awdegle, Lower Shabelle Region, in "self-defense". AFRICOM stated at the time that the airstrike - which it said killed eight al Shabaab militants - "was conducted in support of Somali-led ground forces that came under attack from militants"…

Summary

Published
11 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
1–7
Civilians reported injured
1
Military actors reported killed
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons, Unknown
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

7 March 2019

Incident Code

USSOM203

Location

Bur Madow area, Bay, Somalia
A possible US or Kenyan airstrike was conducted in the Bur Madow area, Bay region according to Mareeg Media. The article, published a day after the alleged strike, did not state if anybody had been killed. According to Mareeg: "Unknown fighter jets carried out an airstrike targeting Al-Shabaab foreign fighters in south west of Somalia. The…

Summary

Published
7 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

7–8 March, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM204-C

Location

Gamboole, Middle Shabelle, Somalia
According to local reports a US airstrike, carried out as part of a land and air operation, was conducted in the Gambole area killing up to eight alleged Al-Shabaab fighters on March 8th. Two civilians were also reportedly killed in the strike and four more injured, Voice of America said. According to Mareeg: "U.S. forces…

Summary

Published
8 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
4
Military actors reported killed
3–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons, Unknown
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 March 2019

Incident Code

USSOM202

Location

Busaar/Waraha Kakuma, Gedo, Somalia
A possible US or Kenyan airstrike at Buusaar or Waraha-Kakuma left "scores" of al Shabaab fighters dead, according to local media sources. A regional official who asked Mareeg to remain anonymous, told the local news organisation that the strike had destroyed al Shabaab's base in 'Buzer, west Somalia.' The report did not note how many…

Summary

Published
6 March 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
10–40
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident