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

20 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM159

Location

Caad, Mudug, Somalia
AFRICOM reported the following day that it had "conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Quy Cad, Somalia on November 20, 2018." It added: "We currently assess this airstrike did not injure or kill any civilians." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike "killed seven (7) militants". In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by…

Summary

Published
20 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM157

Location

Vicinity of Quy Cad near Debatscile/ Dabad Shil, Mudug, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted two (2) airstrikes in the vicinity of Debatscile, Somalia targeting al-Shabaab militants on November 19, 2018". This entry records the first of of these events. AFRICOM asserted that "We currently assess these airstrikes did not injure or kill any civilians." It also claimed that "the first…

Summary

Published
19 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
27
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM158

Location

Debatcile, Mudug, Somalia
On November 20th 2019, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted two (2) airstrikes in the vicinity of Debatscile, Somalia targeting al-Shabaab militants on November 19, 2018". These are recorded as separate events, with the other that day near Quy Cad. AFRICOM asserted: "We currently assess these airstrikes did not injure or kill any civilians." It…

Summary

Published
19 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

18 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM156-C

Location

Radio Andalus, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
Airstrikes by an unknown party destroyed part of an al-Andalus radio station in Jilib - a propaganda service run by the terror group al Shabaab. At least one person described as a journalist was reported injured or killed. According to Middle East Monitor, "An air strike; believed to be American, has destroyed the Al-Andalus radio…

Summary

Published
18 November 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM155

Location

Somalia
Responding to allegations that it had conducted a November 18th airstrike on a radio station in Jilib, AFRICOM informed local media via Twitter that "it has not conducted an airstrike in Somalia since Nov. 3." There were no publicly reported strikes on this date, and Airwars has reached out to AFRICOM for clarification. https://twitter.com/USAfricaCommand/status/1064460036766863360?s=20

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 October 2018

Incident Code

USSOM154

Location

حرمك, Vicinity of Kunyo Barrow, Lower Juba, Somalia
AFRICOM publicly reported that it had "conducted conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Kunyo Barrow, Somalia, on October 25, 2018". It added: "We also currently assess this airstrike did not injure or kill any civilians." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike "killed two (2) militants and destroyed one (1) vehicle." Voice…

Summary

Published
25 October 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident