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
453 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

3 February 2019

Incident Code

USSOM188

Location

غندرشي, Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US Africa Command reported that it had conducted an  airstrike "in the vicinity of Gandarshe, Lower Shebelle Region, Somalia, on February 3, 2019". AFRICOM added that "at this time, it was assessed no civilians were injured or killed in either airstrike." It did not specify whether any belligerent forces had been killed or injured. According to…

Summary

Published
3 February 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Unknown
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 February 2019

Incident Code

USSOM187

Location

Forsooley, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A reported tweet from Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency - apparently since deleted - referred to a joint raid on February 2nd by Somali and US forces which was said to have killed 40 al Shabaab fighters. Goobjoog News, which picked up on the original tweet, said that "The National Intelligence and Security Agency…

Summary

Published
2 February 2019
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
40
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1 February 2019

Incident Code

USSOM186a-C

Location

IVO Janay Abdalle, Lower Juba, Somalia
An unspecified number was allegedly killed by a US strike on Janay Abdalle, which AFRICOM later discounted. In first quarterly civilian casualty assessment it says: "February 3, 2019, AFRICOM received one allegation from an online media source claiming an unspecified number of civilians were killed from an airstrike in the vicinity of Janay Abdalle, Somalia,…

Summary

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

Incident Date

1 February 2019

Incident Code

USSOM186

Location

غندرشي, Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab fighters in the vicinity of Gandarshe, Lower Shebelle Region, Somalia, on February 1, 2019." It added that "at this time, it was assessed no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the strike had "killed 13 militants." According…

Summary

Published
1 February 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
13
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 January 2019

Incident Code

USSOM185

Location

Shebeeley, Hiiraan, Somalia
US Africa Command reported that the previous day it had "conducted an airstrike near a terrorist encampment location in the vicinity of Shebeeley, Hiran Region, Somalia, on January 30, 2019." It added: "no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike "killed twenty-four militants." This contrasted with AFRICOM claims just…

Summary

Published
30 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2019

Incident Code

USSOM183

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted two (2) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab militants near Jilib, Middle Juba Region, Somalia, on January 23, 2019." It also asserted that "at this time we assess no civilians were injured or killed in these airstrikes." AFRICOM gave no figures on the number of belligerents killed. Associated Press…

Summary

Published
23 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident