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
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

7–8 March, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM204-C

Location

Gamboole, Middle Shabelle, Somalia
According to local reports a US airstrike, carried out as part of a land and air operation, was conducted in the Gambole area killing up to eight alleged Al-Shabaab fighters on March 8th. Two civilians were also reportedly killed in the strike and four more injured, Voice of America said. According to Mareeg: "U.S. forces…

Summary

Published
8 March 2019
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Incident Date

6 March 2019

Incident Code

USSOM202

Location

Busaar/Waraha Kakuma, Gedo, Somalia
A possible US or Kenyan airstrike at Buusaar or Waraha-Kakuma left "scores" of al Shabaab fighters dead, according to local media sources. A regional official who asked Mareeg to remain anonymous, told the local news organisation that the strike had destroyed al Shabaab's base in 'Buzer, west Somalia.' The report did not note how many…

Summary

Published
6 March 2019
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Incident Date

28 February 2019

Incident Code

USSOM201

Location

Gal Hamurre, Hiiraan, Somalia
The Pentagon carried out a February 28th airstrike in Somalia that killed 26 terrorists in the vicinity of Hiran, according to a press release from US Africa Command issued the following day. The attack marked the third US action in four days in the same area. US Army Brig. Gen. Gregory Hadfield, US Africa Command…

Summary

Published
28 February 2019
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Incident Date

25 February 2019

Incident Code

USSOM200

Location

Shebeleey, near Belet Weyne, Hiiraan, Somalia
The US military carried out an airstrike in Somalia on February 25th that killed 20 terrorists, according to a press release from US Africa Command. US Army Brig. Gen. Gregory Hadfield, AFRICOM deputy director of intelligence, said in the released statement: "This precision airstrike successfully targeted an encampment from which al-Shabaab could stage, coordinate, and…

Summary

Published
25 February 2019
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Incident Date

24 February 2019

Incident Code

USSOM199

Location

23 miles east of Belet Weyne, Hiiraan, Somalia
A confirmed US action, striking approximately 23 miles east of Beledweyne in the Hiran Region, killed 35 militants while no civilians were harmed, an AFRICOM statement asserted the next day. The airstrike targeted armed al Shabaab militants "as they were transitioning between locations in a rural area", the US command said. Marine Corps Maj. Gen.…

Summary

Published
24 February 2019
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Incident Date

23 February 2019

Incident Code

USSOM196

Location

Awdeegle, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The Pentagon announced four airstrikes on February 23rd in a press release issued by US Africa Command. One of these airstrikes occurred in Awdeegle, 50 kilometres west of Mogadishu. The press release read: "These four airstrikes eliminated checkpoints and facilities used by al-Shabaab to collect illegal taxes to fund terrorist activities and to oppress the innocent…

Summary

Published
23 February 2019
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