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 DatePublication Date

Incident Date

4 October 2018

Incident Code

USSOM149-C

Location

El Adde, Gedo, Somalia
Ceel Gadde
One woman and several children were wounded by an alleged US drone strike in El Adde town, Gedo, as up to ten al Shabaab members were targeted and killed, local media reported. Somali media site Mareeg reported that a US drone strike had injured women and children. Anonymous sources said the victims had been been…

Summary

Published
4 October 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

2–3 October, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM148

Location

Baasra, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
According to a single source, an airstrike by an unknown party hit the strategic village of Basra in Middle Shebelle. Goobjoog News stated that "Reports indicate that Airstrikes hit last night at Basra village in the Middle Shabelle Somalia. Residents of Basra village told Goobjoog News there were heavy attacks in the village amid reports…

Summary

Published
2 October 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

1 October 2018

Incident Code

USSOM147

Location

Jamaame, Lower Juba, Somalia
US forces carried out a strike approximately 40 kilometres northeast of Kismayo after al Shabaab fighters attacked Somali forces, according to a US Africa Command press release. Nine al Shabaab fighters were allegedly killed and another injured, the US command claimed. The press release said AFRICOM had assessed that no civilians were killed or injured…

Summary

Published
1 October 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

21 September 2018

Incident Code

USSOM146

Location

50 km northwest of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia
US forces carried out a 'self-defence strike' against al Shabaab on September 21st approximately 50 km northwest of Kismayo and killing 18 al Shabaab members, according to a press release from US Africa Command. According to AFRICOM "The U.S. airstrike was conducted against militants after U.S. and partner forces came under attack. We currently assess…

Summary

Published
21 September 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

19 September 2018

Incident Code

USSOM145-C

Location

Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia
سااكوو
At least three children were killed as up to 12 al Shabaab members were targeted and killed by a night time airstrike, local and international media reported - though it was unclear who was behind the attack. Several senior al Shabaab officials were killed or wounded in an airstrike, Somalia intelligence officials reportedly said. The…

Summary

Published
19 September 2018
View Incident

Incident Date

11 September 2018

Incident Code

USSOM144

Location

Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
مبارك
In a US strike in Mubaraak, two al Shabaab militants were killed along with a combatant with US partner forces, a US statement asserted the following day. Members of al Shabaab and the partner forces were also left wounded. US forces carried out a strike during a Somali partner forces-led operation against al­ Shabaab in…

Summary

Published
11 September 2018
View Incident