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
447 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

6 January 2019

Incident Code

USSOM177

Location

Vicinity of Deerow Sanle, Bay, Somalia
AFRICOM reported on the same day that it had carried out an airstrike targeting al Shabaab in the vicinity of Dheerow Sanle in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia. According to AFRICOM "no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike." The strike "killed six (6) militants and destroyed one vehicle." In a subsequent FOIA response…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 January 2019

Incident Code

USSOM176

Location

Deerow Sanle, Bay, Somalia
AFRICOM reported the day previously it had conducted "one airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Dheerow Sanle, Somalia, on January 2, 2019." It added: "At this time we assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike." However, AFRICOM stated that "10 militants" were killed in this event. Voice of America reporter Harun…

Summary

Published
2 January 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
9–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 December 2018

Incident Code

USSOM175

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
A joint action by Somali troops and US Special Forces killed 30 al Shabaab militants including two foreign fighters, in the town of Jilib, according to a Somali National Army commander. Xinhua reported the following: "The Somali National Army (SNA) on Sunday killed 30 al-Shabab militants, including two foreign nationals, in the southern town of…

Summary

Published
30 December 2018
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 December 2018

Incident Code

USSOM173

Location

Beled Amin South​, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A total of 11 al Shabaab militants were killed as US forces conducted two airstrikes in the vicinity of Beled Amin South on December 19th, a US Africa Command press release claimed. According to AFRICOM, no civilians were harmed. The first strike referenced here killed eight militants and the second strike killed three militants, the…

Summary

Published
19 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 December 2018

Incident Code

USSOM174

Location

Beled Amin South​, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A total of 11 al Shabaab militants were killed as US forces conducted two airstrikes in the vicinity of Beled Amin South on December 19th, a US Africa Command press release claimed. According to AFRICOM, no civilians were harmed. The strike referenced here killed three militants and the second strike killed eight militants, the US…

Summary

Published
19 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

16 December 2018

Incident Code

USSOM172

Location

غندرشي, Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
AFRICOM publicly reported two strikes on the same area on the same day – asserting that it had killed 28 al Shabaab militants in total in the vicinity of Gandarshe.  Another four strikes took place at the same location the previous day on December 15th, it said – killing another 34 militants. “All six airstrikes…

Summary

Published
16 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident