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
453 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

9 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM098

Location

Buulo Fuulay, Bay, Somalia
AFRICOM reported on the same day it had "conducted an airstrike in Somalia against al-Shabaab on Thur., Nov. 9 at approximately 3 p.m. local Somalia time". It added that the "operation occurred in the Bay Region of Somalia, about 100 miles west of the capital, Mogadishu". AFRICOM made no mention of civilian harm. However, it stated that…

Summary

Published
9 November 2017
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

3 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM097

Location

Buqa, Bari, Somalia
On November 3rd 2017, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted two separate airstrikes against ISIS, in northeastern Somalia on Nov. 3". It made no mention of civilian harm. However, AFRICOM stated that the strikes had killed "several terrorists", though it was "currently assessing the results of the strikes". The command added: "The first strike occurred at approximately…

Summary

Published
3 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
2–20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 November 2017

Incident Code

USSOM096

Location

Buqa, Bari, Somalia
The US conducted its first known strike against so-called Islamic State in Somalia. CNN reported that both strikes were carried out by armed drone. According to Associated Press, "A US official said the strikes were carried out in northeastern Somalia, with the first around midnight local time and the second later in the morning. The…

Summary

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

Incident Date

16 October 2017

Incident Code

USSOM095-C

Location

Farah Waeys, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A US drone strike near Bariire on October 16th was confirmed by the US military. However, numerous allegations of civilian harm by international media have been denied. Whilst US Africa Command did not initially publish a press release regarding this strike, they confirmed to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism at the time that they carried…

Summary

Published
16 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
5–8
Military actors reported killed
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 October 2017

Incident Code

USSOM094

Location

مبارك, Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
On November 17th 2017, US Africa Command sent the Bureau of Investigative Journalism a list of previously unreported strikes, which included this one. An AFRICOM spokesperson explained that their goal "is to be as transparent as possible while taking into account operational security, force protection and diplomatic sensitivities." It therefore did not proactively release information…

Summary

Published
2 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 September 2017

Incident Code

USSOM093

Location

حرمك, Kunya Barrow, Middle Juba, Somalia
On November 17th 2017, US Africa Command sent the Bureau of Investigative Journalism a list of previously unreported strikes, which included this one. An AFRICOM spokesperson explained that their goal "is to be as transparent as possible while taking into account operational security, force protection and diplomatic sensitivities." It therefore did not proactively release information…

Summary

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