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

5 June 2019

Incident Code

USSOM232-C

Location

Outskirts of Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The US military carried out an airstrike targeting an al Shabaab fighter in Tortoroow, according to a press release issued two days later by US Africa Command. It was locally alleged that a named civilian public transport driver died in the attack. However AFRICOM later insisted thast the victim was "a high-level, al-Shabaab financier" and…

Summary

Published
5 June 2019
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Incident Date

4 June 2019

Incident Code

USSOM231

Location

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia
The US military carried out an airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia in the Golis Mountains, according to a press release the following day by US Africa Command. According to AFRICOM, the strike killed six ISIS-Somalia fighters, and was currently assessed as having caused no civilian harm. "The Golis Mountains are a known area for terrorist camps and…

Summary

Published
4 June 2019
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Incident Date

27 May 2019

Incident Code

USSOM230

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
جيليب
Reports emerged of a possible US airstrike in Jilib targeting a senior al Shabaab security commander, according to Voice of America (VOA) journalist Harun Maruf. Maruf - a journalist noted for his good sources within the Somali military - asserted on Twitter: "Hearing reports that an airstrike occurred in Jilib tonight targeting a senior Al-Shabaab…

Summary

Published
27 May 2019
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Incident Date

26 May 2019

Incident Code

USSOM229

Location

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia
The US military carried out a fresh airstrike targeting al Shabaab (rather than ISIS) in the Golis Mountains, according to a press release issued by US Africa Command. The strike killed three al Shabaab fighters, AFRICOM asserted - saying that it currently assessed that no civilians had been harmed in the attack. This marked the…

Summary

Published
26 May 2019
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Incident Date

24 May 2019

Incident Code

USSOM228

Location

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia
The US military carried out an airstrike in the Golis Mountains, according to a press release from US Africa Command. Unusually for recent strikes in the area, the attack targeted al Shabaab rather than ISIS according to AFRICOM. The strike reportedly killed three al Shabaab fighters, with AFRICOM saying that it currently assessed no civilians had…

Summary

Published
24 May 2019
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Incident Date

22 May 2019

Incident Code

USSOM226

Location

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia
The US military carried out an airstrike targeting alleged ISIS-Somalia terrorists in the Golis Mountains, according to a press release issued by US Africa Command. The strike killed two fighters from ISIS-Somalia it was asserted, with AFRICOM currently assessing that no civilians had been harmed. "This is the fifth precision airstrike against ISIS-Somalia since April…

Summary

Published
22 May 2019
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