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

2 June 2018

Incident Code

USSOM131

Location

Galgala mountains, 26 miles southwest of Bosaso, Bari, Somalia
On June 4th 2018, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants approximately 26 miles southwest of Bosasso, Somalia, on June 2". It added: "We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed "twenty-seven (27) terrorists." As Voice of America noted, "Saturday’s airstrike…

Summary

Published
2 June 2018
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Incident Date

29 May–3 June, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM130-C

Location

Bariire, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A suspected airstrike in a field outside Bariire, a village 30 miles west of Mogadishu, killed three boys and left one woman injured, according to The National. Journalist Amanda Sperber met Halimo Mohamed Abdi, a herder who was injured in the action: "The blast broke both her hips, left shrapnel embedded in her thigh, and…

Summary

Published
31 May 2018
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Incident Date

31 May 2018

Incident Code

USSOM129

Location

30 miles southwest of Mogadishu, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
AFRICOM reported on the same day that it had "conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants approximately 30 miles southwest of Mogadishu, Somalia, on May 31". It added: "We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed "twelve (12) terrorists". In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by…

Summary

Published
31 May 2018
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Incident Date

23 May 2018

Incident Code

USSOM128

Location

Arbiska, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A late night US strike on the village of Arbiska was reported by Radio Shabelle. According to the local news outlet, "Suspected American fighter jets were reported to have carried out an overnight airstrike in Lower Shabelle region, targeting Al-Shabaab bases, residents said. The strike happened on the outskirt of Arbiska village, located near the capital,…

Summary

Published
23 May 2018
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Incident Date

9–10 May, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM127-C

Location

Bulcida Macalinka (northeast), Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Five civilians were reportedly killed in a US and/or Somali-waged ground operation - possibly also involving airpower - in the Lower Shabelle region, local and international media reported. The US denied allegations of harm on several occasions. The raid was reportedly carried out by Somalia commandos, with the US saying American troops supported the mission…

Summary

Published
9 May 2018
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Incident Date

16 April 2018

Incident Code

USSOM126

Location

Leego, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
ليغو
US forces carried out a strike against al Shabaab militants on April 16th near Leego, an Africa Command spokesperson told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in early May. AFRICOM made no mention of civilian harm. An AFRICOM spokespersons noted that "No terrorists were killed and no equipment was destroyed in this strike." Leego is described…

Summary

Published
16 April 2018
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