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

11 July 2019

Incident Code

USSOM237a-C

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
جيليب
Al Shabaab members or civilians were allegedly killed in US strikes near Jilib and Basra. AFRICOM later denied conducting strikes in the area. Harun Maruf reported: "Overnight airstrikes killed dozens of Al-Shabaab militants in Jilib, Cmdr of AS’s Hisba police station in the town, Hassan Dhere, his deputy and a 3rd official among the dead,…

Summary

Published
11 July 2019
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Incident Date

3 July 2019

Incident Code

USSOM237-C

Location

Iskushuban or Mareero, Bari, Somalia
According to a local source, heavy fighting near the port of Bari in Puntland killed two people and injured five others, including civilians. AFRICOM later declared that "no U.S. military strike took place on the alleged date or location." Radio Shabelle initially said that an airstrike by an unknown party had contributed to the violence…

Summary

Published
3 July 2019
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Incident Date

25 June 2019

Incident Code

USSOM236-C

Location

Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
حرمك
A named man, Abow Ali Wardi (or Wardiyow), was widely reported killed in a US targeted strike near Kunyo Barrow. While there were some local claims that the victim was a non combatant, AFRICOM later insisted the target was "an al-Shabaab facilitator" and that "It is assessed with a high degree of confidence that civilian…

Summary

Published
25 June 2019
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Incident Date

24 June 2019

Incident Code

USSOM235

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
جيليب
The US military declared carrying out an airstrike targeting al Shabaab militants in Jilib, according to a press release issued on the same day by US Africa Command. According to the statement, "At this time, it is assessed the airstrike killed one (1) militant. Currently, we assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result…

Summary

Published
24 June 2019
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Incident Date

16 June 2019

Incident Code

USSOM234

Location

Vicinity of Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US military carried out two separate airstrikes targeting al Shabaab in the vicinity of Jilib, Middle Juba, according to a press release from US Africa Command. According to AFRICOM, “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia, on June…

Summary

Published
16 June 2019
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Incident Date

16 June 2019

Incident Code

USSOM233

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
جيليب
The US military carried out two separate airstrikes targeting al Shabaab in the vicinity of Jilib, according to a press release from US Africa Command. According to AFRICOM, "In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia, on June 16, 2019... At…

Summary

Published
16 June 2019
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