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

12–13 September, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM092

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US carried out an air strike on September 13th, killing six al Shabaab members, according to a press release from US Africa Command. The strike took place at approximately 0215 local time (1115 GMT), hitting an area in southern Somalia about 260km south of the capital, AFRICOM said. The original press release said three…

Summary

Published
12 September 2017
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

7 September 2017

Incident Code

USSOM091

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had conducted "a precision airstrike in Somalia against al-Shabaab on Thurs., Sept. 7 at approximately 2:45 p.m. local Somalia time". The release made no mention of civilian harm. However, AFRICOM asserted that the strike had killed "one (1) terrorist". The strike was carried out under authorities passed in…

Summary

Published
7 September 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

5 September 2017

Incident Code

USSOM090

Location

Tortoroow and Dodale, Bay, Somalia
On September 5th 2017, AFRICOM reported that it had conducted a precision airstrike in "central Somalia" against al-Shabaab militants that same day at approximately 9:50am local Somalia time. The release made no mention of civilian harm. However, AFRICOM asserted that the strike had killed "three (3) terrorists". The action, it said, had hit in the…

Summary

Published
5 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

31 August–1 September, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM089

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow near Barawe, Middle Juba, Somalia
The US said it carried out a strike near Barawe in southern Somalia on August 31st, killing one al Shabaab fighter and wounding one other. AP reported that "At least one missile struck a location outside Barawe that the extremists often use to launch attacks on the government-held town, a Somali intelligence official said. He…

Summary

Published
31 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 August 2017

Incident Code

USSOM088-C

Location

Bariire, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The US military and the Somali government announced they were investigating reports that ten civilians, including three children, were killed during an operation on a farm in Bariire, in Somalia's southern Lower Shabelle region. However, on November 28th 2017, the US published a press release concluding that only "armed enemy combatants" were killed. Earlier that…

Summary

Published
25 August 2017
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
10
Military actors reported killed
0–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

16–17 August, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM087-C

Location

Sheikh Ahmed Yare, 15 miles from Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
Seven civilians from the same family including a wife and husband died in US airstrikes which reportedly hit civilian homes near Jilib, according to two reports. The victims are named below. The US announced it carried out a series of attacks between August 16th and 17th, allegedly killing up to seven al Shabaab fighters. However…

Summary

Published
16 August 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
7
Military actors reported killed
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident