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
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

2 January 2018

Incident Code

USSOM113

Location

Bariire, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had "conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants in the early morning hours of Jan. 2, 2018, approximately 50 kilometers west of the capital [Mogadishu]". It added: "We assess no civilians were killed in this strike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed "two terrorists" and destroyed "one vehicle-borne improvised…

Summary

Published
2 January 2018
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Incident Date

27 December 2017

Incident Code

USSOM112

Location

Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
مبارك
On December 28th 2017, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants in the early evening hours of Dec. 27, 2017, approximately 25 kilometres west of the capital". It added that "we assess no civilians were killed in this strike". However, AFRICOM claimed that the strike had "killed four terrorists", adding that…

Summary

Published
27 December 2017
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Incident Date

24 December 2017

Incident Code

USSOM111

Location

Ball Raho, between Buusaar and Burahache, Gedo, Somalia
On December 27th 2017, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants on the morning of Dec. 24, 2017, in southern Somalia". AFRICOM made no mention of civilian harm. However, it claimed that the strike had killed "13 terrorists". The strike hit southern Somalia according to officials, though no additional location details were provided…

Summary

Published
24 December 2017
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Incident Date

15–16 December, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM110

Location

30 miles northwest of Kismayo, IVO Qudus, Lower Juba, Somalia
On December 18th 2017, AFRICOM reported that it had "conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants in the early evening hours on Friday, Dec. 15, approximately 30 miles northwest of Kismayo". It added that "we assess no civilians were killed in the strike." However, AFRICOM claimed that the strike had killed "eight (8) terrorists" and destroyed "one…

Summary

Published
15 December 2017
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Incident Date

11–12 December, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM109

Location

Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
مبارك
US Forces carried out a strike against an "al-Shabaab vehicle-borne improvised explosive device" in the early hours of December 12th, US Africa Command announced, which it said had removed an "imminent threat to the people of Mogadishu". The early morning strike hit 65 kilometers southwest of the capital, AFRICOM said (later noting that the strike…

Summary

Published
12 December 2017
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Incident Date

6 December 2017

Incident Code

USSOM108-C

Location

130 km southwest of Mogadishu, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Between five and seven civilians, including two children, were killed when a vehicle carrying suspected al Shabaab fighters exploded in their village, after being hit by what is thought to have been a US airstrike - though US Africa Command deny any strikes in the area on this date. The explosion reportedly injured a further…

Summary

Published
6 December 2017
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