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

5 September 2016

Incident Code

USSOM063

Location

Tortoroow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The US reported two days after the event that it had conducted two “self-defence strikes” on September 5th against al Shabaab, killing four militants in total. According to an AFRICOM press release, the strikes hit near Tortoroow and were conducted in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia after a Somali-led counter-terrorism operation came under…

Summary

Published
5 September 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 August 2016

Incident Code

USSOM061

Location

Gobanle, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
The US reported that it had conducted a “self-defense strike” against al Shabaab in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia in a press release published on September 7th. It said the strike hit near Gobanale and had resulted in the deaths of two al Shabaab militants. The press release reported that during a Somali-led…

Summary

Published
30 August 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

10 August 2016

Incident Code

USSOM060

Location

Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia
US forces helped Somali commandos in an operation in southern Somalia that killed several members of al Shabaab, a Pentagon official said on August 16th. The operation took place on August 10th. Somali forces approached an al Shabaab checkpoint. The terrorists reportedly opened fire and a gun battle ensued. “US advisers accompanied the Somali-led force,…

Summary

Published
10 August 2016
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 July 2016

Incident Code

USSOM059

Location

El Adde, Gedo, Somalia
Local residents said jets bombed an al Shabaab camp near El Adde in Gedo region late at night on Sunday July 24. The attack hit the same area that 100 Kenyan peacekeepers were killed in January 2016 when al Shabaab forces overran their base. It was attributed to the Kenyan Defence Force with the Pentagon…

Summary

Published
24 July 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
70
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 June 2016

Incident Code

USSOM058

Location

South-central, Bay, Somalia
The US conducted “a self-defence strike against al Shabaab, killing three” in southern Somalia, describing the action as having "provided defensive fires to protect U.S. troops from imminent threats posed by the terrorist group al-Shabaab." A statement from US Africa Command (Africom) issued at the time said “the operation was conducted after it was assessed…

Summary

Published
21 June 2016
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

11 June 2016

Incident Code

USSOM057

Location

Galgala, Bari, Somalia
Unidentified jets struck what were described as "al Shabaab hideouts" in Galgala in the northern autonomous region of Puntland, according to a local report. Garowe Online said the strikes - carried out by warplanes "launched from a carrier at sea" - hit militants in their bases along the Golis Mountain Ranges in Puntland, northern Somalia.…

Summary

Published
11 June 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident