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

21 September 2018

Incident Code

USSOM146

Location

50 km northwest of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia
US forces carried out a 'self-defence strike' against al Shabaab on September 21st approximately 50 km northwest of Kismayo and killing 18 al Shabaab members, according to a press release from US Africa Command. According to AFRICOM "The U.S. airstrike was conducted against militants after U.S. and partner forces came under attack. We currently assess…

Summary

Published
21 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
18–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 September 2018

Incident Code

USSOM145-C

Location

سااكوو, Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia
At least three children were killed as up to 12 al Shabaab members were targeted and killed by a night time airstrike, local and international media reported - though it was unclear who was behind the attack. Several senior al Shabaab officials were killed or wounded in an airstrike, Somalia intelligence officials reportedly said. The…

Summary

Published
19 September 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
3
Military actors reported killed
12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11 September 2018

Incident Code

USSOM144

Location

مبارك, Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
In a US strike in Mubaraak, two al Shabaab militants were killed along with a combatant with US partner forces, a US statement asserted the following day. Members of al Shabaab and the partner forces were also left wounded. US forces carried out a strike during a Somali partner forces-led operation against al­ Shabaab in…

Summary

Published
11 September 2018
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

27 August 2018

Incident Code

USSOM143

Location

40 km southwest of Mogadishu, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US forces carried out a strike on August 27th killing three alleged members of al Shabaab, US Africa Command declared two days later, The strike hit approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu. The official statement read: "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants approximately 40 kilometers…

Summary

Published
27 August 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

21 August 2018

Incident Code

USSOM142

Location

46 km northeast of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia
US forces carried out a strike on August 21st, killing two al Shabaab fighters, according to a press release from US Africa Command. The strike hit approximately 46 kilometers northeast of Kismayo, a port city in southern Somalia. The Command said it had assessed that no civilians were killed or injured in this strike. https://twitter.com/criticalthreats/status/1032373345973460995

Summary

Published
21 August 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

20–26 August, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM141-C

Location

Basra, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
An investigation by journalist Amanda Sperber identified a possible US airstrike near Basra around the time of Eid in August 2018, which allegedly killed between 10 and 12 members of the same family. Airwars has provided a relatively wide date range for this event, based on limited reporting. The investigation, published by The Nation in…

Summary

Published
20 August 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
10–12
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident