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

10 March 2024

Incident Code

USSOM425

Location

Ugunji, Qoryooley, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A source affiliated with al-Shabaab reported that five civilian farmers were killed by a "US and Somali special forces" operation in Lower Shabelle on March 10th while US Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced that they had killed three al-Shabaab militants in airstrikes "in the vicinity of Ugunji." AFRICOM declared their involvement in the strike on March…

Summary

Published
27 December 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

7 March 2024

Incident Code

USSOM424

Location

on the border between Lower Shabelle and Middle Jubba regions in southern Somalia, Somalia
Halbeeg News reported that at least six al-Shabaab fighters were killed in a suspected US airstrike which destroyed technical vehicles as well as an arsenal on the border between Lower Shabelle and Middle Jubba regions in southern Somalia on March 7, 2024. According to Halqabsi News, six al-Shabaab bases were struck and killed several high-ranking…

Summary

Published
27 December 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 March 2024

Incident Code

USSOM423

Location

in a remote area in the vicinity approximately 45 km northeast of Kismayo, Somalia
Two al-Shabaab militants were reportedly killed by declared US airstrikes approximately 45 km northeast of Kismayo in Somalia on March 2, 2024. US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) released a statement on March 4th declaring their involvement: "At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense against the al Shabaab…

Summary

Published
27 December 2024
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

24 February 2024

Incident Code

USSOM420

Location

Jilib Marka, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
On the 24th of February, 2024, the Federal Government of Somalia released a statement claiming that attacks by Somali government forces and international partner forces, conducted early in the morning of the same day, had killed 30 Al-Shabaab militants at a meeting point in the village of Jilib Marka, in the Lower Shabelle region of…

Summary

Published
24 February 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15 February 2024

Incident Code

USSOM418

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
Two Cuban doctors, general medicine specialist Assel Herrera and surgeon Landy Rodriguez, were reportedly killed in a declared U.S. airstrike (possibly drone strike) conducted around 12:05am on the 15th of February 2024 in the town of Jilib, in the region of Middle Juba, Somalia. The militant group Al-Shabaab stated via Telegram that it had captured…

Summary

Published
15 February 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 February 2024

Incident Code

USSOM417

Location

in the vicinity of the village of Yaq Dabel, Lower Juba, Somalia
On the 9th of February, 2024, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against Al-Shabaab near the village of Yaq Dabel, located to the west of the city of Kismayo in Lower Juba, Somalia. AFRICOM released a statement on the 14th of February regarding the strike which made reference to an initial post-strike assessment that…

Summary

Published
9 February 2024
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident