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

15–16 December, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM110

Location

30 miles northwest of Kismayo, IVO Qudus, Lower Juba, Somalia
On December 18th 2017, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants in the early evening hours on Friday, Dec. 15, approximately 30 miles northwest of Kismayo". It added that "we assess no civilians were killed in the strike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the strike had killed "eight (8) terrorists" and destroyed "one…

Summary

Published
15 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
5–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11–12 December, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM109

Location

مبارك, Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US Forces carried out a strike against an "al-Shabaab vehicle-borne improvised explosive device" in the early hours of December 12th, US Africa Command announced, which it said had removed an "imminent threat to the people of Mogadishu". The early morning strike hit 65 kilometers southwest of the capital, AFRICOM said (later noting that the strike…

Summary

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

Incident Date

6 December 2017

Incident Code

USSOM108-C

Location

130 km southwest of Mogadishu, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Between five and seven civilians, including two children, were killed when a vehicle carrying suspected al Shabaab fighters exploded in their village, after being hit by what is thought to have been a US airstrike - though US Africa Command deny any strikes in the area on this date. The explosion reportedly injured a further…

Summary

Published
6 December 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military actors reported killed
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM107

Location

Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A US airstrike targeted an al Shabaab training camp in Tortoorow, Lower Shabelle according to local media. While not declared by AFRICOM at the time, the US later admitted the event in a May 2019 FOIA response. According to Garowe Online, "The attack took place in Toratorow, a main al Shabaab stronghold town in the…

Summary

Published
29 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

27 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM106

Location

Hills around Dasaan, Bari, Somalia
On the same day, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted an airstrike against ISIS, in northeastern Somalia on Nov. 27". It added that "the strike occurred at approximately 3 p.m. local Somalia time" and made no mention of civilian harm. However, it did claim that the strike had "killed one terrorist". Reuters placed the attack near Qandala:…

Summary

Published
27 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM105

Location

Bur Elade, Bay, Somalia
AFRICOM reported on the same day that it had "conducted an airstrike in Somalia against an al-Shabaab camp on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at approximately 10:30 a.m. local Somalia time". It added that "the operation occurred 125 miles northwest of the capital, Mogadishu" though AFRICOM made no mention of civilian harm. However, it claimed that the…

Summary

Published
21 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
100–105
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident