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

15 December 2018

Incident Code

USSOM170

Location

Gandarshe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
غندرشي
AFRICOM publicly reported four strikes on the same area on the same day – asserting that it had killed 34 al Shabaab militants in total in the vicinity of Gandarshe.  Another two strikes took place on December 16th, it said – killing another 28 militants. “All six airstrikes were conducted in close coordination with the…

Summary

Published
15 December 2018
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Incident Date

8–9 December, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM166-C

Location

Baladul Rahma, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
One civilian was reportedly killed and another injured in a confirmed US airstrike in Baladul Rahma near Basra, Somalia according to a field investigation by Amnesty International - though US Africa Command continues to deny that any civilians were harmed. In a press release from AFRICOM issued at the time, it had said it carried…

Summary

Published
8 December 2018
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Incident Date

4 December 2018

Incident Code

USSOM165

Location

Awdheegle, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Four al Shabaab fighters were reported killed as the US carried out what it said was a self-defence strike in the vicinity of Awdheegle, Lower Shabelle, after US and partner forces came under attack, US Africa Command said in a statement. Associated Press gave a detailed report on the event: "Somali commandos backed by U.S.…

Summary

Published
4 December 2018
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Incident Date

30 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM164

Location

Geelway mountain, Mudug, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day, it had "conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants near Lebede, Somalia on November 30, 2018". It said that there had been no civilian harm. However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike had killed "nine (9) militants". Voice of America reporter Harun Maruf provided a more detailed location. "Statement says strike…

Summary

Published
30 November 2018
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Incident Date

27 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM163

Location

Debatscile, Mudug, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Quy Cad near Debatscile, Somalia on November 27, 2018". It added: "We currently assess this airstrike did not injure or kill any civilians." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike had "killed three (3) militants". It added "This follows…

Summary

Published
27 November 2018
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Incident Date

24 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM162

Location

Hargeysa Yarey, Middle Juba, Somalia
هرجيسا
A strike was said to have killed 15 members of al Shabaab and injured another 30, according to the official Somali National News Agency (SONNA). It was not clear whether US forces carried out the strike from the reporting, but US Africa Command said US forces had not carried out a strike on that day.…

Summary

Published
24 November 2018
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