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

93 – 170

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 103 separate alleged incidents.

25 – 28
children likely killed
14 – 15
women likely killed
35
likely injured
91
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
267 – 435
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S. Forces actions in Somalia.
103 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
93 – 170
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S. Forces
38 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
89 – 98
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
26 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
74 – 147
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
24 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
11 – 20
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
552 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

30 November 2019

Incident Code

USSOM258

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
جيليب
The US military reported on the same day that it had carried out an airstrike in the vicinity of Jilib against al Shabaab fighters. It was not clear which of two locally reported targets - or indeed both - were struck. Unusually, AFRICOM made no mention of the number of militant fighters it believed had…

Summary

Published
30 November 2019
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Incident Date

19 November 2019

Incident Code

USSOM257-C

Location

Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
حرمك
The US military reported on the same day that it had carried out an airstrike near Qunyo Barrow that killed one "terrorist." However al Shabaab insisted the victim was a local civilian businessman named Ismail Issa Bhutan. AFRICOM later insisted the target "was both an al-Shabaab leader and weapons supplier." According to a press release…

Summary

Published
19 November 2019
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Incident Date

12 November 2019

Incident Code

USSOM256

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
جيليب
In a press release issued on the same day, US Africa Command reported that it had targeted and killed a senior al Shabaab figure in the vicinity of Jilib, in Middle Juba. "At this time, it is assessed the airstrike killed one (1) terrorist. Strikes near Jilib disrupt al-Shabaab’s freedom of maneuver. The individual targeted…

Summary

Published
12 November 2019
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Incident Date

3 November 2019

Incident Code

USSOM254

Location

Bu'aale, Middle Juba, Somalia
Local media reported targeted strikes by an undeclared belligerent on the town of Bu'ale, which were said to have killed and injured senior named al Shabaab figures. According to Goobjoog News, "Reports indicate on the airstrike raid in Bay and Middle Juba region last night targeted Al Shabab base located in the area bulla falay…

Summary

Published
3 November 2019
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Incident Date

3 November 2019

Incident Code

USSOM255

Location

Jilib or between Jilib and Xaramka, Middle Juba, Somalia
A senior al Shabaab communications official was reported killed, either in an air or ground operation. The official was named by all sources as Ibrahim Abu Hamza, reportedly a head of communications for the terror group. However there was conflicted reporting about both how he died - and at whose hands. According to Mareeg News,…

Summary

Published
3 November 2019
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Incident Date

25 October 2019

Incident Code

USSOM251-C

Location

Near Ameyra and Timirshe, Noogal, Somalia
A US drone strike intended to target an Islamic State hideout near the remote Ameyra and Timirshe villages in the Golis Mountain region, killed two civilians and injured another, according to multiple local and international media sources. However in April 2020, AFRICOM insisted the targets "were ISIS-Somalia leadership and media operatives."" At the time of…

Summary

Published
25 October 2019
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