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

14 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM104

Location

Idow Jalaad, near Leego, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A US strike killed "several" al Shabaab fighters in the seventh aerial attack in Somalia in six days. Lower Shabelle's deputy governor told Voice of America the strike had killed six al Shabaab fighters in the village of Idow Jalad. A statement from US Africa Command said the strike was carried out "in coordination with…

Summary

Published
14 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
2–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM103

Location

Awhiigle, Gaduud, Lower Juba, Somalia
The sixth declared US strike in five days hit Somalia, targeting al Shabaab fighters, the US military told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. An Africa Command spokesperson said the attack occurred at 0840 near Gaduud about 250 miles southwest of Mogadishu. As of November 15th, the US was still "assessing the results of the strike".…

Summary

Published
13 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM101-C

Location

Southeast of Darusalaam, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A US strike on al Shabaab fighters in the Lower Shabelle region also killed three civilians, Amnesty International later reported. Two US strikes took place in Somalia on November 12th, with one targeting al Shabaab and the other hitting Islamic State fighters, according to US Africa Command. The strikes killed "several fighters", it said. The…

Summary

Published
12 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Military actors reported killed
0–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM102

Location

Golis Mountains, Noogal, Somalia
Two US strikes took place in Somalia on November 12th, with one targeting al Shabaab and the other hitting Islamic State, according to US Africa Command. The strikes killed "several" fighters, it said. The first strike against al Shabaab is recorded in a separate event. The second attack was carried out at approximately 0900 local…

Summary

Published
12 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
23
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM100

Location

Osman Gaduud, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US forces carried out a strike against al Shabaab at approximately 1630 local time on November 11, US Africa Command said. It made no mention of civilian harm. However, AFRICOM stated that the strike killed a single fighter, and that it took place near Gaduud, located 250 miles southwest of the capital, Mogadishu. This and…

Summary

Published
11 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

10–11 November, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM099-C

Location

2km north of Baasra, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
US forces carried out a strike against al Shabaab at approximately 8pm local Somalia time killing "several" fighters, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said. It was also alleged by local officials that three civilians had died. The strike hit the Lower Shabelle region. A Somali military official told Voice of America the strike, which they said…

Summary

Published
10 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
3
Military actors reported killed
10–13
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident