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
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

30 January 2019

Incident Code

USSOM185

Location

Shebeeley, Hiiraan, Somalia
US Africa Command reported that the previous day it had "conducted an airstrike near a terrorist encampment location in the vicinity of Shebeeley, Hiran Region, Somalia, on January 30, 2019." It added: "no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike "killed twenty-four militants." This contrasted with AFRICOM claims just…

Summary

Published
30 January 2019
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Incident Date

23 January 2019

Incident Code

USSOM183

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
جيليب
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted two (2) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab militants near Jilib, Middle Juba Region, Somalia, on January 23, 2019." It also asserted that "at this time we assess no civilians were injured or killed in these airstrikes." AFRICOM gave no figures on the number of belligerents killed. Associated Press…

Summary

Published
23 January 2019
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Incident Date

23 January 2019

Incident Code

USSOM184

Location

Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
جيليب
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had “conducted two (2) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab militants near Jilib, Middle Juba Region, Somalia, on January 23, 2019.” It also asserted that “at this time we assess no civilians were injured or killed in these airstrikes.” AFRICOM gave no figures on the number of belligerents killed. Associated Press…

Summary

Published
23 January 2019
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Incident Date

20 January 2019

Incident Code

USSOM182-C

Location

Radio Andalus, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
A reported airstrike or bomb blast by an unknown party on an al Shabaab radio station in Buale or Jilib town killed up to 25 al Shabaab supporters - five of them journalists. US Africa Command later denied responsibility. According to Sonna Somalia, "At least 10 people have been killed and more than 30 others…

Summary

Published
20 January 2019
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Incident Date

19 January 2019

Incident Code

USSOM181

Location

Between Araare crossing and Muse Haji, near Baar Sanguni, Lower Juba, Somalia
Up to 73 al Shabaab fighters were killed in a confirmed retaliatory strike conducted by US Africa Command. On the same day as the attack, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted an airstrike targeting militants near Jilib, Middle Juba Region, Somalia, on January 19, 2019." The airstrike was apparently conducted after a large contingent of…

Summary

Published
19 January 2019
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Incident Date

8 January 2019

Incident Code

USSOM180

Location

Yaaq Braawe, Bay, Somalia
US Africa Command reported that the previous day, it had conducted "one (1) airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab encampment in the vicinity of Yaaq Braawe, Bay Region, Somalia, on January 8, 2019." It added: "At this time we assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike." AFRICOM also stated that the airstrike "killed six…

Summary

Published
8 January 2019
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