US Forces in Somalia

Library image of an armed Reaper drone, December 2019 (US Air Force/ Senior Sergeant Haley Stevens)

Belligerent
US Forces
Country
Somalia
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Strike Status
Strike Type
Infrastructure

Incident date

July 21, 2020

Incident Code

USSOM311

LOCATION

Timirshe, Bari, Somalia

Seven ISIS fighters were killed by a US airsrtrike near Timirshe, according to AFRICOM. The press release said: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia terrorists after they attacked partner forces in a remote location near Timirshe, Somalia, July 21. Timirshe is located 140 kilometers southeast

Summary

First published
July 21, 2020
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
ISIS - Somalia
Belligerents reported killed
7–8
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

August 1, 2021

Incident Code

USSOM341

LOCATION

Between Bacaadweyn and Camara, vicinity of Wisil, Mudug, Somalia

In its latest actions in support of Somali ground forces, AFRICOM confirmed that it had conducted airstrikes on al Shabaab positions “in the vicinity of Qeycad” on August 1st. Statements published by both the Somali Ministry of Information and Galmudug State referred to two separate strikes, which Airwars is therefore treating as separate events. According

Summary

First published
August 1, 2021
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
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

March 3, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM381

LOCATION

Turdho village, Lower Juba, Somalia

13 al-Shabaab militants were killed during operations allegedly carried out by the Somali National Army Danab Special Forces with the aid of the US Africa Command and the Jubbaland State Forces in Turdho village of Lower Jubba on March 3, 2022. Garowe Online reported that an operation carried out by the Danab Special Forces with the

Summary

First published
March 3, 2023
Last updated
December 15, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Suspected belligerents
Somali Military Forces, US Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
13
View Incident

Incident date

November 22, 2024

Incident Code

USSOM445

LOCATION

Haway area, near the town of Sablale, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Senior al-Shabaab leaders were reportedly killed by an airstrike near the town of Sablale in the Lower Shabelle Region of Somalia on 22 November, 2024; at least 12 deaths were recorded—three commanders and “several senior leaders” were included in the count. The strike was allegedly perpetrated in part by the Somali National Army; sources also

Summary

First published
November 22, 2024
Last updated
April 11, 2025
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, Somali Military Forces
Suspected target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
12
View Incident