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

6 February 2018

Incident Code

USSOM116

Location

حرمك, Vicinity of Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US carried had so far 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 recorded only six publicly reported strikes. The spokesperson provided details on the strikes BIJ had not recorded: "The first…

Summary

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

Incident Date

18 January 2018

Incident Code

USSOM114

Location

Beer Xaani, Lower Juba, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants on Jan. 18, approximately 50 kilometers northwest of Kismayo". It added: "No civilians were killed in this strike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed "four (4) terrorists." In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by journalist Joshua Eaton in May 2019, AFRICOM …

Summary

Published
18 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
3–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date

18 January 2018

Incident Code

USSOM115-C

Location

Jameeco Jilyaale near Beled ul Amin, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The US confirmed it had accompanied Somali troops in a mission that rescued 30 to 32 boys from an al Shabaab indoctrination centre in the Lower Shabelle region. However, during the rescue attempt, fire reportedly from Somali forces reportedly killed four or five children, and a teacher. A later US government FOIA response indicated that…

Summary

Published
18 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Military actors reported killed
4–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 January 2018

Incident Code

USSOM113

Location

Bariire, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants in the early morning hours of Jan. 2, 2018, approximately 50 kilometers west of the capital [Mogadishu]". It added: "We assess no civilians were killed in this strike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed "two terrorists" and destroyed "one vehicle-borne improvised…

Summary

Published
2 January 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

27 December 2017

Incident Code

USSOM112

Location

مبارك, Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
On December 28th 2017, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants in the early evening hours of Dec. 27, 2017, approximately 25 kilometres west of the capital". It added that "we assess no civilians were killed in this strike". However, AFRICOM claimed that the strike had "killed four terrorists", adding that…

Summary

Published
27 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 December 2017

Incident Code

USSOM111

Location

Ball Raho, between Buusaar and Burahache, Gedo, Somalia
On December 27th 2017, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants on the morning of Dec. 24, 2017, in southern Somalia". AFRICOM made no mention of civilian harm. However, it claimed that the strike had killed "13 terrorists". The strike hit southern Somalia according to officials, though no additional location details were provided…

Summary

Published
24 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
13
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident