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

4 December 2018

Incident Code

USSOM165

Location

Awdheegle, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Four al Shabaab fighters were reported killed as the US carried out what it said was a self-defence strike in the vicinity of Awdheegle, Lower Shabelle, after US and partner forces came under attack, US Africa Command said in a statement. Associated Press gave a detailed report on the event: "Somali commandos backed by U.S.…

Summary

Published
4 December 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM164

Location

Geelway mountain, Mudug, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day, it had "conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants near Lebede, Somalia on November 30, 2018". It said that there had been no civilian harm. However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike had killed "nine (9) militants". Voice of America reporter Harun Maruf provided a more detailed location. "Statement says strike…

Summary

Published
30 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

27 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM163

Location

Debatscile, Mudug, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Quy Cad near Debatscile, Somalia on November 27, 2018". It added: "We currently assess this airstrike did not injure or kill any civilians." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike had "killed three (3) militants". It added "This follows…

Summary

Published
27 November 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

24 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM162

Location

هرجيسا, Hargeysa Yarey, Middle Juba, Somalia
A strike was said to have killed 15 members of al Shabaab and injured another 30, according to the official Somali National News Agency (SONNA). It was not clear whether US forces carried out the strike from the reporting, but US Africa Command said US forces had not carried out a strike on that day.…

Summary

Published
24 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
15
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM160

Location

Jimo Luqunyar or Adaley, near Debatscile, Mudug, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted two (2) airstrikes in the vicinity of Haradere, Somalia on November 21, 2018." It added: "We currently assess these airstrikes did not injure or kill any civilians." However, AFRICOM claimed that "the first airstrike killed six (6) al-Shabaab militants and the second airstrike destroyed a weapons cache."…

Summary

Published
21 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM161

Location

Either Jimo-Luqunyar or Adaley, near Debatscile, Mudug, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted two (2) airstrikes in the vicinity of Haradere, Somalia on November 21, 2018." It added: "We currently assess these airstrikes did not injure or kill any civilians." This assessment details the strike on the arms cache. Associated Press offered more detail on the attacks: "Somali intelligence…

Summary

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