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

23 February 2019

Incident Code

USSOM195-C

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
A father and young child were reported killed in a US airstrike on the al Shabaab-occupied town of Kunyo Barrow. AFRICOM later admitted the deaths of two civilians along with three injuries in the event in its first quarterly civilian harm report of April 2020. US Africa Command first reported on February 24th 2019 that…

Summary

Published
23 February 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
3
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11 February 2019

Incident Code

USSOM194-C

Location

Tuwaareey, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US Africa Command initially reported that it had carried out two airstrikes in the vicinity of Janaale in the lower Shabelle region. AFRICOM stated that "the first airstrike on February 11 had killed eight militants and the second airstrike killed four militants" with a total of 12 killed. AFRICOM added that "at this time, it…

Summary

Published
11 February 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
10–13
Civilians reported injured
0–1
Military actors reported killed
4–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons, Unknown
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

10–11 February, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM193

Location

Janaale, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A joint night time operation at Janaale by Somali National Armed Forces and AFRICOM - including the reported landing of US forces - led to a number of al Shabaab casualties and possible damage to civilian homes. Although AFRICOM did not confirm the incident at the time, a later FOIA response did confirm the action.…

Summary

Published
10 February 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

8 February 2019

Incident Code

USSOM192

Location

Road between Araare and Kobon, Lower Juba, Somalia
US Africa Command reported that the previous day, it had carried an airstrike in the vicinity of Kobon, near the city of Kismayo. AFRICOM added that "at this time, it was assessed no civilians were injured or killed in either airstrike." AFRICOM did not specify the number of belligerents killed, although AP reported that eight…

Summary

Published
8 February 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
8–32
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

7 February 2019

Incident Code

USSOM191

Location

Bariire, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US Africa Command reported that it had carried out an airstrike on the previous day "in the vicinity of Bariire, Lower Shebelle Region, Somalia, on February 7, 2019." According to the official statement, "This precision airstrike was executed after our Somali partners were engaged by al-Shabaab militants as they conducted an operation to disrupt al-Shabaab…

Summary

Published
7 February 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 February 2019

Incident Code

USSOM190

Location

غندرشي, Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US Africa Command reported that two days previously, it had carried out an airstrike "in the vicinity of Gandarshe, Lower Shebelle Region, Somalia, on February 6, 2019." AFRICOM reported that it "currently assesses the airstrike on February 6 killed 11 militants." It added that "at this time, it was assessed no civilians were injured or…

Summary

Published
6 February 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
11
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident