Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident date

November 21, 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

First published
November 21, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
6
View Incident

Incident date

November 20, 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

First published
November 20, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
7
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 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

First published
November 19, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
10
View Incident

Incident date

November 19, 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

First published
November 19, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
27
View Incident

Incident date

November 18, 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

First published
November 18, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 2
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Unknown
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

November 3, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM155

LOCATION

Somalia

Responding to allegations that it had conducted a November 18th airstrike on a radio station in Jilib, AFRICOM informed local media via Twitter that “it has not conducted an airstrike in Somalia since Nov. 3.” There were no publicly reported strikes on this date, and Airwars has reached out to AFRICOM for clarification. U.S. Africa

Summary

First published
November 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

October 25, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM154

LOCATION

حرمك, Vicinity of Kunyo Barrow, Lower Juba, Somalia

AFRICOM publicly reported that it had “conducted conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Kunyo Barrow, Somalia, on October 25, 2018”. It added: “We also currently assess this airstrike did not injure or kill any civilians.” However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike “killed two (2) militants and destroyed one (1) vehicle.” Voice

Summary

First published
October 25, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

October 18, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM153-C

LOCATION

Bulo Haji, Lower Juba, Somalia

In an alleged civilian harm event previously unrecorded by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a declassified AFRICOM report obtained in Spring 2019 identified a claimed event near Kismayo in October 2018. According to Casimada, “The strike against Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab group was conducted in Bulo-Haji area near the town, killing at least 3 children, a

Summary

First published
October 18, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

October 14, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM152

LOCATION

Araara, Lower Juba, Somalia

Four al Shabaab fighters were killed as the US carried out a strike in Somalia in the vicinity of Araara, Lower Juba region, after partner forces came under attack from small arms fire, a US Africa Command press release stated. The press release called it a “collective self-defense airstrike.” No US service members were apparently

Summary

First published
October 14, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
4
View Incident

Incident date

October 12, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM151

LOCATION

Jowle, Mudug, Somalia

At least 60 and as many as 117 al Shabaab fighters were killed in a US strike on October 12th, it was reported. The location appears to have been a training camp, according to Voice of America, which noted: “A Somali official says the strike happened near the village of Jowle, about 20 kilometers southwest

Summary

First published
October 12, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
60–117
View Incident

Incident date

October 6, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM150

LOCATION

حرمك, Kunyo Barrow, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

AFRICOM reported that the day previously it had “conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab militant in the vicinity of Kunyo Barrow, Somalia, on October 6, 2018.” It added: “We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike.” However, AFRICOM claimed that the action killed “(1) terrorist”. In a subsequent FOIA response obtained

Summary

First published
October 6, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

October 4, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM149-C

LOCATION

Ceel Gadde, El Adde, Gedo, Somalia

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

First published
October 4, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
3–5
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Unknown
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
10
View Incident

Incident date

October 2, 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

First published
October 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

October 1, 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

First published
October 1, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
9
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

September 21, 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

First published
September 21, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
18–20
View Incident

Incident date

September 19, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM145-C

LOCATION

سااكوو, Saakow, Middle Juba, Somalia

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

First published
September 19, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Education
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 children)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces, Ethiopian Military Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
12
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

September 11, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM144

LOCATION

مبارك, Mubaraak, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

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

First published
September 11, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
2
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

August 27, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM143

LOCATION

40 km southwest of Mogadishu, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

US forces carried out a strike on August 27th killing three alleged members of al Shabaab, US Africa Command declared two days later, The strike hit approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu. The official statement read: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants approximately 40 kilometers

Summary

First published
August 27, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
3
View Incident

Incident date

August 21, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM142

LOCATION

46 km northeast of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

US forces carried out a strike on August 21st, killing two al Shabaab fighters, according to a press release from US Africa Command. The strike hit approximately 46 kilometers northeast of Kismayo, a port city in southern Somalia. The Command said it had assessed that no civilians were killed or injured in this strike. US

Summary

First published
August 21, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

August 20, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM141-C

LOCATION

Basra, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

An investigation by journalist Amanda Sperber identified a possible US airstrike near Basra around the time of Eid in August 2018, which allegedly killed between 10 and 12 members of the same family. Airwars has provided a relatively wide date range for this event, based on limited reporting. The investigation, published by The Nation in

Summary

First published
August 20, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10 – 12
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
0–2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Named victims
12 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

August 14, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM140-C

LOCATION

Vicinity of Baladul-Rahma and Geeshaan, near Basraa, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

In a major Amnesty International report on civilian harm in Somalia, published in March 2019, the NGO made passing reference to a civilian harm event on August 14th the previous year in the vicinity of Baladul-Rahma and Geeshaan, near Basraa. According to the report, “on 14 August 2018, the US military conducted additional air strikes

Summary

First published
August 14, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

August 11, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM139-C

LOCATION

Leego, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Local reporters alleged that US and Somali forces had killed four civilians including a mother and child, during an operation in Leego. Caasimada alleged that the civilians were killed around midnight, by Somali troops accompanied by ‘white US officers’, and claimed that the attacking forces had flown there from a military base to the north.

Summary

First published
August 11, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4
(1 child1 woman)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Suspected belligerent
Somali Military Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
3–4
View Incident

Incident date

August 2, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM138-C

LOCATION

Gobanle (Gobaale), Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Three civilians were reportedly killed in a US strike in Gobanle village, according to Amnesty International – though US Africa Command claimed that only four “terrorists” were killed. However an AFRICOM declassified assessment of the event published in July 2019 indicated that the US itself was unaware of the identities of those in the vehicle

Summary

First published
August 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(3 men)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Named victims
3 named
Belligerents reported killed
1–4
View Incident

Incident date

July 23, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM136

LOCATION

Baar Sanguni, 50 km north of Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

US forces carried out a strike against al Shabaab in an area around 50 kilometres north of Kismayo, a US Africa Command spokesperson later told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Post-strike analysis had not revealed the number of militants killed, a US spokesperson told the Bureau in an email exchange on July 31st. The event

Summary

First published
July 23, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

July 24, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM137

LOCATION

Qalimow, Middle Shabelle, Somalia

Unknown aircraft were reported to have struck the vicinity of Qalimow village about 60km north of Mogadishu on the night of July 24th-25th. Villagers told local media that several missiles had targeted Al-Shabab vehicles. The attack – which almost all sources said was by drone – followed the recent recapture of Qalimow from Somalia forces.

Summary

First published
July 23, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

July 22, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM135-C

LOCATION

Marka, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

A strike reportedly hit a village outside Marka, a city around 60 miles south of Mogadishu, according to a field investigation by a reporter for The Nation. There were no reports of immediate civilian harm, though a man reportedly died of a heart attack following the violence. Airwars has placed this event in a date

Summary

First published
July 22, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Causes of injury / death
Accidents related to conflict, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 10, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM134

LOCATION

Jawaari, Middle Juba, Somalia

An airstrike near the village of Jawaari was variously blamed on US and Kenyan forces. Mareeg, a Somali news outlet, reported a strike by unidentified jets which it said had potentially killed eight members of al Shabaab. The terror group itself reportedly denied that any of its fighters were killed. The source of Mareeg’s information

Summary

First published
July 10, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Kenyan Military Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
8–13
View Incident

Incident date

June 8, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM133

LOCATION

Baar, Lower Juba, Somalia

An American Special Forces soldier was killed – later named as Staff Sergeant Alexander Conrad – and four others were wounded in an attack by al Shabaab fighters in Jubaland. A member of a partner force was also killed or injured. The US soldiers were among a large force of 800 Somali and Kenyan soldiers

Summary

First published
June 8, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Known belligerent
US Forces
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
1–3
Belligerents reported injured
5
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2018

Incident Code

USSOM132

LOCATION

24 miles southwest of Bosaso, Bari, Somalia

US Africa Command told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (BIJ) in July 2018 that it had carried out two strikes in early June – one previously undisclosed. The second took place on June 3rd, and targeted members of al Shabaab approximately 24 miles southwest of Bosasso, according to AFRICOM. “We currently assess no terrorists and

Summary

First published
June 3, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
View Incident

Incident date

June 2, 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

First published
June 2, 2018
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
27
View Incident