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

10–11 July, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM134

Location

Jawaari, Middle Juba, Somalia
An airstrike near the village of Jawaari was variously blamed on US and Kenyan forces. Mareeg, a Somali news outlet, reported a strike by unidentified jets which it said had potentially killed eight members of al Shabaab. The terror group itself reportedly denied that any of its fighters were killed. The source of Mareeg's information…

Summary

Published
10 July 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
8–13
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date

8 June 2018

Incident Code

USSOM133

Location

Baar, Lower Juba, Somalia
An American Special Forces soldier was killed - later named as Staff Sergeant Alexander Conrad - and four others were wounded in an attack by al Shabaab fighters in Jubaland. A member of a partner force was also killed or injured. The US soldiers were among a large force of 800 Somali and Kenyan soldiers…

Summary

Published
8 June 2018
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date

3 June 2018

Incident Code

USSOM132

Location

24 miles southwest of Bosaso, Bari, Somalia
US Africa Command told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (BIJ) in July 2018 that it had carried out two strikes in early June - one previously undisclosed. The second took place on June 3rd, and targeted members of al Shabaab approximately 24 miles southwest of Bosasso, according to AFRICOM. "We currently assess no terrorists and…

Summary

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

2 June 2018

Incident Code

USSOM131

Location

Galgala mountains, 26 miles southwest of Bosaso, Bari, Somalia
On June 4th 2018, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants approximately 26 miles southwest of Bosasso, Somalia, on June 2". It added: "We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed "twenty-seven (27) terrorists." As Voice of America noted, "Saturday’s airstrike…

Summary

Published
2 June 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
27
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date

31 May 2018

Incident Code

USSOM129

Location

30 miles southwest of Mogadishu, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
AFRICOM reported on the same day that it had "conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants approximately 30 miles southwest of Mogadishu, Somalia, on May 31". It added: "We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed "twelve (12) terrorists". In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by…

Summary

Published
31 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date

29 May–3 June, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM130-C

Location

Bariire, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A suspected airstrike in a field outside Bariire, a village 30 miles west of Mogadishu, killed three boys and left one woman injured, according to The National. Journalist Amanda Sperber met Halimo Mohamed Abdi, a herder who was injured in the action: "The blast broke both her hips, left shrapnel embedded in her thigh, and…

Summary

Published
31 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
1
Military actors reported killed
0–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident