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
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

31 December 2024

Incident Code

USSOM452

Location

Beer Xaani, Lower Juba, Somalia
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced an airstrike against Al-Shabaab militants on 31 December 2024, in Beer Xaani. The strike, occurring “at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia” was declared a “collective self-defense” operation. At least 10 members of Al-Shabaab were reported killed; Somali forces fighting the group were evacuated. The Somali…

Summary

Published
31 December 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
10–11
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

31 December 2024

Incident Code

USSOM452a

Location

Cal Miskaad mountains, Bari, Somalia
Multiple ISIS militants were killed by an alleged joint operation carried out by Puntland forces and the US military in the Cal Miskaad mountains on December 31, 2024. Shafaq News reported that "the Puntland Security Force (PSF), together with the US Air Force, carried out a joint operation on Tuesday targeting ISIS positions in the…

Summary

Published
11 April 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2024

Incident Code

USSOM450

Location

10 km southwest of Quyno Barrow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The United States announced an airstrike against Al-Shabaab militants in the Lower Shabelle region on 24 December, 2024. The strike, which took place approximately 10 km southwest of Quyno Barrow, reportedly killed two Al-Shabaab members, including a lead commander, Mohamed Mire. AFRICOM released a statement on December 26th announcing that "In coordination with the Federal…

Summary

Published
24 December 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

22 November 2024

Incident Code

USSOM445

Location

Haway area, near the town of Sablale, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Senior al-Shabaab leaders were reportedly killed by an airstrike near the town of Sablale in the Lower Shabelle Region of Somalia on 22 November, 2024; at least 12 deaths were recorded—three commanders and “several senior leaders” were included in the count. The strike was allegedly perpetrated in part by the Somali National Army; sources also…

Summary

Published
22 November 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15 July 2024

Incident Code

USSOM438

Location

Ceel Dheere (El Dheer) district, Galgudud, Somalia
On July 15, 2024, 10-50 al-Shabab militants were killed by a declared US airstrike in the Ceel Dheere (El Dheer) district of the Galguduud region of Central Somalia, according to media and military reports. There is indication an al-Shabab ground operation near the town of El-Dheer precipitated a “self defense” airstrike by the United States…

Summary

Published
6 June 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
10–50
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

31 May 2024

Incident Code

USSOM433

Location

In the vicinity of Dhaardaar, approximately 81 km southeast of Bosaso, Somalia
In conjunction with the Somali government, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted a strike against Islamic State militants on 31 May, 2024 in “a remote area in the vicinity of Dhaardaar”. AFRICOM reported that the strike had killed three IS militants, “with no civilian casualties”. X/Twitter user @ZakeriyeAxmed reported that the strike targeted IS leader and…

Summary

Published
31 May 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident