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

14 August 2018

Incident Code

USSOM140-C

Location

Vicinity of Baladul-Rahma and Geeshaan, near Basraa, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
In a major Amnesty International report on civilian harm in Somalia, published in March 2019, the NGO made passing reference to a civilian harm event on August 14th the previous year in the vicinity of Baladul-Rahma and Geeshaan, near Basraa. According to the report, "on 14 August 2018, the US military conducted additional air strikes…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 August 2018

Incident Code

USSOM139-C

Location

Leego, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Local reporters alleged that US and Somali forces had killed four civilians including a mother and child, during an operation in Leego. Caasimada alleged that the civilians were killed around midnight, by Somali troops accompanied by 'white US officers', and claimed that the attacking forces had flown there from a military base to the north.…

Summary

Published
11 August 2018
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
4
Military actors reported killed
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 August 2018

Incident Code

USSOM138-C

Location

Gobanle (Gobaale), Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Three civilians were reportedly killed in a US strike in Gobanle village, according to Amnesty International - though US Africa Command claimed that only four "terrorists" were killed. However an AFRICOM declassified assessment of the event published in July 2019 indicated that the US itself was unaware of the identities of those in the vehicle…

Summary

Published
2 August 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Military actors reported killed
1–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24–25 July, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM137

Location

Qalimow, Middle Shabelle, Somalia
Unknown aircraft were reported to have struck the vicinity of Qalimow village about 60km north of Mogadishu on the night of July 24th-25th. Villagers told local media that several missiles had targeted Al-Shabab vehicles. The attack - which almost all sources said was by drone - followed the recent recapture of Qalimow from Somalia forces.…

Summary

Published
23 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 July 2018

Incident Code

USSOM136

Location

Baar Sanguni, 50 km north of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia
US forces carried out a strike against al Shabaab in an area around 50 kilometres north of Kismayo, a US Africa Command spokesperson later told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Post-strike analysis had not revealed the number of militants killed, a US spokesperson told the Bureau in an email exchange on July 31st. The event…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22–27 July, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM135-C

Location

Marka, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A strike reportedly hit a village outside Marka, a city around 60 miles south of Mogadishu, according to a field investigation by a reporter for The Nation. There were no reports of immediate civilian harm, though a man reportedly died of a heart attack following the violence. Airwars has placed this event in a date…

Summary

Published
22 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Accidents related to conflict
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident