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

23 May 2018

Incident Code

USSOM128

Location

Arbiska, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A late night US strike on the village of Arbiska was reported by Radio Shabelle. According to the local news outlet, "Suspected American fighter jets were reported to have carried out an overnight airstrike in Lower Shabelle region, targeting Al-Shabaab bases, residents said. The strike happened on the outskirt of Arbiska village, located near the capital,…

Summary

Published
23 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9–10 May, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM127-C

Location

Bulcida Macalinka (northeast), Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Five civilians were reportedly killed in a US and/or Somali-waged ground operation - possibly also involving airpower - in the Lower Shabelle region, local and international media reported. The US denied allegations of harm on several occasions. The raid was reportedly carried out by Somalia commandos, with the US saying American troops supported the mission…

Summary

Published
9 May 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
5
Civilians reported injured
5
Military actors reported killed
3–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

16 April 2018

Incident Code

USSOM126

Location

ليغو, Leego, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US forces carried out a strike against al Shabaab militants on April 16th near Leego, an Africa Command spokesperson told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in early May. AFRICOM made no mention of civilian harm. An AFRICOM spokespersons noted that "No terrorists were killed and no equipment was destroyed in this strike." Leego is described…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 April 2018

Incident Code

USSOM125

Location

Jana Cabdalle, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that two days previously it had "conducted an airstrike destroying an al-Shabaab vehicle-borne improvised explosive device near Jana Cabdalle, Somalia, on the afternoon of April 11." AFRICOM made no mention of civilian harm. Additionally, AFRICOM did not state whether any belligerents had been killed in this strike. In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 April 2018

Incident Code

USSOM124

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted an airstrike against Al-Shabaab militants near Jilib, Somalia, the afternoon of April 5". It added: "We assess no civilians were killed in this airstrike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed "three (3) terrorists" and destroyed "one (1) vehicle with a mounted heavy machine gun." In a…

Summary

Published
5 April 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

1 April 2018

Incident Code

USSOM123-C

Location

Ceel Buur, Mudug, Somalia
Up to four civilians, including one child and one woman, were killed along with up to five al Shabaab fighters as a US airstrike struck El Burr, Galmudug, international media reported. Following a year of denials, US Africa Command admitted in April 2019 that civilians had in fact died in the event - and that…

Summary

Published
1 April 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Military actors reported killed
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident