Civilian Casualty Archive

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480 incidents

Incident Date

5 October 2013

Incident Code

USSOM027

Location

Baraawe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
At least one and as many as seven al Shabaab militants were killed in a naval raid carried out by US forces in Barawe, Lower Shabelle, international media reported. There were no reports of civilian harm. It was not at first clear who was the target of the raid. Reports varied from an unnamed Chechen;…

Summary

Published
5 October 2013
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
1–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1–30 June, 2013

Incident Code

USSOM026-C

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia
Drones and helicopters reportedly attacked outside the town of Jilib, in Somalia’s Middle Juba region, killing three people and seriously wounding seven, according to locals interviewed by the Kenyan group Journalists for Justice. Of the three people killed, two were women and one an elderly man, and of those wounded, three were reportedly children. As…

Summary

Published
1 June 2013
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1–31 March, 2013

Incident Code

USSOM025-C

Location

Kol, near Bula Xawa, Gedo, Somalia
Two airstrikes by an unknown belligerent hit the nomadic settlement of Kol, near the city of Bulla-Xama, in southwestern Somalia’s Gedo region, killing a mother and her two children and injuring five others, a young man who fled the settlement following the strike told the Kenyan group Journalists for Justice. According to a report, Black…

Summary

Published
1 March 2013
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2013

Incident Code

SOM016a-1

Location

Bulo Marer, Somalia
French commandos failed to a rescue a French spy held hostage by al Shabaab since 2009. Paris claimed the militants executed the captured secret service agent, known by his alias Denis Allex, during an assault by 50 Special Forces troops. However al Shabaab’s media wing said the hostage survived. Seventeen alleged militants were reportedly killed…

Summary

Published
12 January 2013
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
8
Military actors reported killed
17
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 August 2012

Incident Code

USSOM024

Location

Mountains near Qandala, Bari, Somalia
Air strikes ‘reportedly from international forces’ targeted ‘a mountainous area near town of Qandala’ according to Garowe Online. However All Africa said that "Air strikes reportedly from a US military aircraft or naval ship on the coastal town of Qandala caused damage to many buildings in the town." All Africa and Garowe Online said it…

Summary

Published
23 August 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15 May 2012

Incident Code

SOM016-1

Location

Near Haradheere, Somalia
The European Union (EU) launched attack helicopter and "maritime aircraft" strikes on an alleged pirate base near Haradheere. Stating that there had been no EU "boots on the ground", reports indicated that helicopters from the EU’s Naval Force (NAVFOR) had destroyed nine speedboats, an arms dump and fuel supplies in a night-time raid. Bile Hussein,…

Summary

Published
15 May 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Military Actor
EU Military
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Incident Date

17 April 2012

Incident Code

USSOM023-C

Location

Gumah, Bari, Somalia
"Unknown military jets fired several missiles" at a suspected Somali pirate base in the northern autonomous region of Puntland a coastguard official told AFP. The target was the village of Gumah, described as being between Hafun and Bargal towns and some 220 kilometres (140 miles) east of Bossaso, the main port of Somalia's breakaway Puntland…

Summary

Published
17 April 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
EU Military, U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2012

Incident Code

USSOM022-C

Location

K60, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
One civilian man was possibly killed as a US drone struck and killed up to seven members of al-Shabaab at Kilometre 60 or K60, in Lower Shabelle, 60km south west of Mogadishu on the road to Marka/ Mercer, international media reported. The action came hours after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had told a…

Summary

Published
24 February 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
1
Military actors reported killed
4–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2012

Incident Code

USSOM020

Location

Elasha Biyaha, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
A British al Shabaab fighter, Bilal al-Berjawi, was killed by a US drone strike in or near the town of Elasha Biyaha, 15km south of Mogadishu, local and international media reported. There were no reports of civilian harm. Three missiles fired from a drone operated by JSOC killed British-Lebanese militant Bilal al-Berjawi, also known as…

Summary

Published
21 January 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 January 2012

Incident Code

USSOM021-C

Location

Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia
In this single-source claim, six people were allegedly killed as an airstrike carried out by US or Kenyan forces, struck near the al Shabaab stronghold of Kismayo, Sheikh Mohamud Abdi, a senior al-Shabaab commander, claimed to Reuters. It is not known whether the strike was by US or Kenyan forces. Kenya sent troops into Somalia…

Summary

Published
21 January 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–6
Military actors reported killed
6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

14 November 2011

Incident Code

USSOM019

Location

Afgooye, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Two al Shabaab leaders were possibly killed in an alleged US or French-launched air or drone strike in Afgoye, Lower Shabelle, local and international media reported. No sources reported civilian harm. Missiles were fired at a training camp in Afgoye, Lower Shabelle, according to al Shabaab. An initial report from the Suna Times stated: "US…

Summary

Published
14 November 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
0–2
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 October 2011

Incident Code

SOM012e

Location

Jilib, Somalia
October 30, 2011 ♦ 5-15 killed ♦ 5 civilians reported killed, including 3 children ♦ 45-47 reported wounded A refugee camp for those displaced by the severe drought was hit in a Kenyan air strike. Aid agency Medecin Sans Frontieres (MSF) reported the strike hit at around 1.30pm. The agency’s employees witnessed the strike on…

Summary

Published
30 October 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
View Incident

Incident Date

23 October 2011

Incident Code

USSOM018

Location

Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia
At least one al Shabaab militant was reportedly killed as Shabaab positions in Kismayo, Jubaland, were subject to aerial shelling, international and local media reported. There was disagreement about whether the US, France or Kenya were to blame A local resident told Reuters: "A jet bombarded an al Shabaab base near the port. It dropped…

Summary

Published
23 October 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

22 October 2011

Incident Code

USSOM017-C

Location

Afmadow, Lower Juba, Somalia
In this single-source claim, Somalia Report reported that at least 11 civilians died and more than 20 others were wounded after a possible US drone attacked Afmadow town in Lower Juba region. An eye witness, Mohamud Abdirahman, told Somalia Report: "I have seen 11 bodies and we believe that it was a US airstrike." Locals…

Summary

Published
22 October 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
11
Civilians reported injured
20
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

13 October 2011

Incident Code

USSOM016-C

Location

10 km east of Taabta, Lower Juba, Somalia
In this single-source allegation, civilians were reported as possibly harmed following attacks on an al Shabaab base near Taabta village, Lower Juba, Somalia Report reported. It was not clear who was behind the actions. Somalia Report reported that drones had targeted an al-Shabaab base used to train new fighters. Its source cited TFG military official…

Summary

Published
13 October 2011
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 October 2011

Incident Code

USSOM015-C

Location

Dolbiyow, 35 kilometers east of Dhobley, Lower Juba, Somalia
Four Somali farmers were reported to have been killed in a possible drone strike in Dolbiyow Village, 35km east of Dhobley according to Somalia Report, while one was reportedly injured. The farmers and their camels were killed moments after al-Shabaab fighters fled the area in vehicles, witnesses said. However, a TFG official told Somalia Report…

Summary

Published
6 October 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

25 September 2011

Incident Code

USSOM014

Location

Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia
The United States launched a series of drone attacks on al-Shabaab in Kismayo, according to residents, who reported strikes on three locations. The BBC reported that "At least three targets were hit around Kismayo, the southern port which is under the control of the militants. One reconnaissance drone is reported to have crashed... al-Shabaab are patrolling the…

Summary

Published
25 September 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15 September 2011

Incident Code

USSOM013-C

Location

Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia
A single source reported that nine civilians died in alleged US drone strikes on Kismayo. According to the source Antiwar.com, "Eyewitnesses in the southern Somali port city of Kismayo have reported a number of missile strikes, apparently fired by US drones in and around the city. Terrified residents say that several loud explosions were heard…

Summary

Published
15 September 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
9
Civilians reported injured
0–30
Military actors reported killed
5–30
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 July 2011

Incident Code

USSOM012-C

Location

Afmadow, Lower Juba, Somalia
In this single-source allegation, an unknown number of people were reportedly killed or wounded in possible US strikes in Afmadow district, as reported by Somalia Report. The source did not mention whether the victims were combatants or civilians. According to Somalia Report, US drones or planes reportedly hit three al Shabaab militant training camps in…

Summary

Published
6 July 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

28 June 2011

Incident Code

USSOM011

Location

Taabta, Lower Juba, Somalia
In a news feature looking at drone strikes in Somalia, Somalia Report stated that on this day, "another [US] attack occurred in Taabta village in the Afmadow District of Lower Juba." The report indicated that the target was al Shabaab. "AFRICOM does have terrorism in its list of applications and as of June JSOC's hunter killers…

Summary

Published
28 June 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date

21–23 June, 2011

Incident Code

USSOM010

Location

Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia
In the first known lethal drone strike in Somalia, Predators struck a militant training camp 10km south of Kismayo. Further missiles reportedly hit a second target near the airport. At least one member of Al-Shabaab was killed - possibly "many" - and up to three were wounded, according to local and international media. There were…

Summary

Published
21 June 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 April 2011

Incident Code

USSOM009

Location

Dhoobley, Gedo, Somalia
At least one militant and as many as "three dozen" were killed in an alleged US-waged airstrike in Dhobley, Jubaland, international and regional media reported. The attack marked the beginning of a concerted campaign in Somalia against al Shabaab by the Obama administration. After a reporting gap of 18 months, US air attacks appear to…

Summary

Published
3 April 2011
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military actors reported killed
1–36
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2009

Incident Code

USSOM008-C

Location

مدينة ﺑﺮﺍﻭة, Baraawe, Lower Shabelle, Somalia
Up to six people, including at least one possible civilian, were killed and at least two possible civilians were wounded, as a US-launched raid targeted and reportedly killed a high value al Qaeda/ al Shabab member, Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, international media reported. The attack marked the first known lethal operation by US forces in…

Summary

Published
14 September 2009
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Military actors reported killed
2–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1 May 2008

Incident Code

USSOM007-C

Location

Dusa Marreb, Galguduud, Somalia
At least five and as many as 30 civilians, including children and one woman, were reportedly killed as US-launched missiles targeted and killed several top al Shabab commanders in Dusa Marreb, a Somali village near the Ethiopian border, local and international sources reported. Around 3am local time on May 1st, 2008, US naval-launched cruise missiles…

Summary

Published
1 May 2008
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
5–30
Military actors reported killed
2–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 March 2008

Incident Code

USSOM006-C

Location

Dhoobley, Lower Juba, Somalia
Up to six civilians were killed and as many as eight wounded as the US fired at least one and as many as three cruise missiles at Dhobley, a town in southern Somalia four miles from the Kenyan border, local and international sources reported. Pentagon spokesperson Bryan Whitman told AFP: "On March 2, the US…

Summary

Published
3 March 2008
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
4–6
Civilians reported injured
3–8
Military actors reported killed
2–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
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Incident Date

1 June 2007

Incident Code

USSOM005-C

Location

Bargaal, Bari, Somalia
The destroyer USS Chafee, sailing off the coast of Somalia, fired ‘more than a dozen rounds from its 5-inch gun’ on militants in Bargal, north Somalia. The New York Times also reported that cruise missiles were fired. Somali government spokesmen claimed the strikes were launched after around 35 heavily armed militants landed on the coast near…

Summary

Published
1 June 2007
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Military actors reported killed
8–12
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2007

Incident Code

USSOM004-C

Location

Waldena, Lower Juba, Somalia
Up to eight people - some civilians - and one al Qaeda member, were killed as a US drone reportedly targeted, and later captured, a militant leader in Waldena. A fresh JSOC AC-130 strike in Somalia, reportedly operating from an airbase in eastern Ethiopia, targeted Ahmed Madobe, a deputy of ICU leader Hassan Turki. Madobe…

Summary

Published
23 January 2007
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2–8
Military actors reported killed
5–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 January 2007

Incident Code

USSOM003-C

Location

Xayo, Garer, Bankajirow and Badmadow, Ras Kambooni, Lower Juba, Somalia
Several people, possibly civilians, were left wounded as US airstrikes hit four towns near Ras Kamboni, including a terrorist training camp on Badmadow island, local and international media reported. Sources added that up to ten al Qaeda members were also killed. The strikes came just two days after the US-launched AC-130 attack in Ras Kamboni,…

Summary

Published
9 January 2007
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
4–5
Military actors reported killed
5–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

8–9 January, 2007

Incident Code

USSOM002-C

Location

Hayo, Lower Juba, Somalia
According to international and local reports, up to 31 civilians, including at least one child, were killed as the town of Hayi or Xayo was subjected to either US or Ethiopian-waged airstrikes. Heavy civilian casualties were reported in airstrikes on Hayi near Afmadow, 250km northwest of Ras Kamboni, and other parts of southern Somalia, in…

Summary

Published
9 January 2007
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
4–31
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

7 January 2007

Incident Code

USSOM001-C

Location

Ras Kamboni (possibly vicinity of Lag Badana Bushbush National Park), Lower Juba, Somalia
Up to eight civilians were reportedly killed as the US carried out an airstrike against al Qaeda leaders in Ras Kamboni, Lower Juba, international and local sources reported. Shortly after Ethiopian forces had invaded Somalia in late December 2006, the US carried out its first known combat operation within Somalia since the September 11 2001…

Summary

Published
7 January 2007
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilians reported killed
2–8
Civilians reported injured
2–3
Military actors reported killed
8–45
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident