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

19 March 2018

Incident Code

USSOM122

Location

مبارك, Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
AFRICOM publicly reported that two days earlier, it had "conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab on the morning of March 19 near Mubaarak, Somalia". The press release made no mention of civilian harm. However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed "two terrorists", wounded another "three terrorists" and destroyed "one vehicle". Voice of America reported the following:…

Summary

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

Incident Date

13 March 2018

Incident Code

USSOM121

Location

Vicinity of Jamecco and Singulle, Middle Shabelle, Somalia
A US airstrike killed 12 al Shabaab militants and wounded another 15 members as Jamecco, Middle Shabelle was struck, AFRICOM reported. The US carried had carried out ten strikes since the start of the year, a US Africa Command spokesperson confirmed to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (BIJ) at the start of April, which had…

Summary

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

Incident Date

12 March 2018

Incident Code

USSOM120

Location

Kamsuuma, Lower Juba, Somalia
AFRICOM said that it had carried out a strike on "al Shabaab fighters in the vicinity of Kamsuuma" on March 12th. It made no mention of civilian harm. The US had already carried out ten strikes since the start of the year, a US Africa Command spokesperson confirmed to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (BIJ)…

Summary

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

Incident Date

26 February 2018

Incident Code

USSOM119

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants on Feb. 26, in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia". It added: "We assess no civilians were killed in this strike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed two terrorists and wounded two more. Shabelle Media Network had reported a strike carried out…

Summary

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

Incident Date

21 February 2018

Incident Code

USSOM118-C

Location

Bangeeni, Lower Juba, Somalia
Up to five people, including two reported civilians, were killed in a US military airstrike that hit in the vicinity of Jamaame, in Somalia's Lower Juba region, international media reported. According to a US Africa Command press release, a US strike on al Shabaab killed four members of the group. VOA reporter Khadar Hared tweeted that…

Summary

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

Incident Date

19 February 2018

Incident Code

USSOM117

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that two days previously it had "conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants on Feb. 19, in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia". It added: "We assess no civilians were killed in this strike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the attack had killed "three (3) terrorists." Voice of America said that "Local residents in the region reported…

Summary

Published
19 February 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