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

21 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM161

Location

Either Jimo-Luqunyar or Adaley, near Debatscile, Mudug, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted two (2) airstrikes in the vicinity of Haradere, Somalia on November 21, 2018." It added: "We currently assess these airstrikes did not injure or kill any civilians." This assessment details the strike on the arms cache. Associated Press offered more detail on the attacks: "Somali intelligence…

Summary

Published
21 November 2018
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Incident Date

21 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM160

Location

Jimo Luqunyar or Adaley, near Debatscile, Mudug, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted two (2) airstrikes in the vicinity of Haradere, Somalia on November 21, 2018." It added: "We currently assess these airstrikes did not injure or kill any civilians." However, AFRICOM claimed that "the first airstrike killed six (6) al-Shabaab militants and the second airstrike destroyed a weapons cache."…

Summary

Published
21 November 2018
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Incident Date

20 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM159

Location

Caad, Mudug, Somalia
AFRICOM reported the following day that it had "conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Quy Cad, Somalia on November 20, 2018." It added: "We currently assess this airstrike did not injure or kill any civilians." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike "killed seven (7) militants". In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by…

Summary

Published
20 November 2018
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Incident Date

19 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM158

Location

Debatcile, Mudug, Somalia
On November 20th 2019, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted two (2) airstrikes in the vicinity of Debatscile, Somalia targeting al-Shabaab militants on November 19, 2018". These are recorded as separate events, with the other that day near Quy Cad. AFRICOM asserted: "We currently assess these airstrikes did not injure or kill any civilians." It…

Summary

Published
19 November 2018
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Incident Date

19 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM157

Location

Vicinity of Quy Cad near Debatscile/ Dabad Shil, Mudug, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted two (2) airstrikes in the vicinity of Debatscile, Somalia targeting al-Shabaab militants on November 19, 2018". This entry records the first of of these events. AFRICOM asserted that "We currently assess these airstrikes did not injure or kill any civilians." It also claimed that "the first…

Summary

Published
19 November 2018
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Incident Date

18 November 2018

Incident Code

USSOM156-C

Location

Radio Andalus, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
Airstrikes by an unknown party destroyed part of an al-Andalus radio station in Jilib - a propaganda service run by the terror group al Shabaab. At least one person described as a journalist was reported injured or killed. According to Middle East Monitor, "An air strike; believed to be American, has destroyed the Al-Andalus radio…

Summary

Published
18 November 2018
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