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 Date Publication Date

Incident Date

14 April 2019

Incident Code

USSOM214

Location

3 km away from Xiriiro, on the way to Hol Anod, Bari, Somalia
The US military carried out an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia in the vicinity of Xiriiro, Bari Region, killing one high value militant and at least one other alleged fighter. According to AFRICOM - which took the unusual step of publicly naming the target within 24 hours of the operation - the strike killed Abdulhakim Dhuqub, second…

Summary

Published
14 April 2019
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Incident Date

11 April 2019

Incident Code

USSOM213

Location

Garowle, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The US military carried out an airstrike in Garowle, Lower Shabelle region, according to a press release issued by US Africa Command the following day. The release asserted that two terrorists were killed in the strike, and that one motorcycle was also destroyed. It further noted that AFRICOM currently assessed that no civilians were harmed…

Summary

Published
11 April 2019
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Incident Date

9 April 2019

Incident Code

USSOM212

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
جيليب
The US military carried out an airstrike in Jilib, Middle Juba region, according to a press release issued the following day by US Africa Command. AFRICOM asserted that one terrorist was killed in the strike, and that it currently assessed that no civilians were harmed in the action. For the first time and in the…

Summary

Published
9 April 2019
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Incident Date

4 April 2019

Incident Code

USSOM211-C

Location

Ugunji, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A ground operation struck a minibus carrying civilians, killing one woman and injuring up to six others, local media reported. While one source claimed that the attack was conducted by drone, others said it was a ground operation, involving Somali and possibly also US troops. AFRICOM later denied responsibility for civilian harm on the grounds…

Summary

Published
4 April 2019
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Incident Date

22 March 2019

Incident Code

USSOM210

Location

Bu'aale, Middle Juba, Somalia
A reported precision airstrike by an unidentified aircraft at Buaale, Middle Juba was said to have killed up to 50 fighters with local Al Qaeda affiliate al Shabaab - along with a named senior leader. The event was first reported by Kenyan media - though reports did not identify which nation had conducted the alleged…

Summary

Published
22 March 2019
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Incident Date

18 March 2019

Incident Code

USSOM209-C

Location

Laantabuur or Abdow Dibile, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Up to four civilians were killed in a US strike in the Lower Shabelle region, international media and investigating NGOs reported from the ground, though US Africa Command claimed that the strike had only killed three "terrorists." It later again officially denied causing any civilian casualties. Initially, allegations of civilian harm came from a Reuters…

Summary

Published
18 March 2019
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