Beginning in the late 2000s, the
United States Military
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. The armed forces consists of six service branches: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The president of the United States is the ...
has supported the
Federal Government of Somalia
The Government of Somalia (GS) ( so, Dowladda Soomaaliya, ar, حكومة الصومال الاتحادية) is the internationally recognised government of Somalia, and the first attempt to create a central government in Somalia since the coll ...
in counterterrorism as part of the ongoing
Global War on Terror
The war on terror, officially the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), is an ongoing international counterterrorism military campaign initiated by the United States following the September 11 attacks. The main targets of the campaign are militant ...
that began in wake of the
September 11th attacks. Support, mostly in the form of drone and airstrikes, advising, training, and intelligence, increased during the
Obama administration and
Trump administration, with hundreds of drone strikes targeting the terrorist group
al-Shabaab. Two U.S. special operations personnel and a
CIA
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA ), known informally as the Agency and historically as the Company, is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the federal government of the United States, officially tasked with gathering, processing, ...
paramilitary officer have died during operations in
Somalia.
In late 2020, US President
Donald Trump announced that he would pull most US troops out of Somalia by 15 January 2021. On January 17, 2021, the US Military announced that its troop drawdown had completed. Training of allied forces, limited
airstrike
An airstrike, air strike or air raid is an offensive operation carried out by aircraft. Air strikes are delivered from aircraft such as blimps, balloons, fighters, heavy bombers, ground attack aircraft, attack helicopters and drones. The offici ...
s, and special operations activity continues.
In May 2022, according to a government spokesman, President Joe Biden has accepted a request from the Pentagon to redeploy US soldiers to Somalia in order to combat the terrorist group
Al-Shabaab.
US airstrikes on Somalia
Since 2007, the
United States military
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. The armed forces consists of six service branches: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The president of the United States is the ...
has targeted militant groups, mainly
Al-Shabaab, within Somalia using
airstrike
An airstrike, air strike or air raid is an offensive operation carried out by aircraft. Air strikes are delivered from aircraft such as blimps, balloons, fighters, heavy bombers, ground attack aircraft, attack helicopters and drones. The offici ...
s including targeted
drone strikes
Drone warfare is a form of aerial warfare using unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) or weaponized commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The United States, United Kingdom, Israel, China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, France, India, Pak ...
and missiles launched from
naval ships
A naval ship is a military ship (or sometimes boat, depending on classification) used by a navy. Naval ships are differentiated from civilian ships by construction and purpose. Generally, naval ships are damage resilient and armed with w ...
alongside special forces raids and advising.
Airstrike
An airstrike, air strike or air raid is an offensive operation carried out by aircraft. Air strikes are delivered from aircraft such as blimps, balloons, fighters, heavy bombers, ground attack aircraft, attack helicopters and drones. The offici ...
s were ramped up dramatically under the
Trump administration and further targeting the
Islamic State
An Islamic state is a state that has a form of government based on Islamic law (sharia). As a term, it has been used to describe various historical polities and theories of governance in the Islamic world. As a translation of the Arabic term ' ...
.
According to Robert Moore, a public policy advisor, there is a school called ''Responsibility to Protect (R2P)'' that demands "military force should be used for humanitarian purposes, especially in mass-casualty conflicts,” which he suggests as a reason for the United States' intervention in Somalia.
Timeline
2007
US forces conducted three strikes in Somalia during 2007 killing a minimum of 21 people including two civilians.
* January 7
A
U.S. Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signa ...
AC-130
The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is a heavily armed, long-endurance, ground-attack variant of the C-130 Hercules transport, fixed-wing aircraft. It carries a wide array of ground-attack weapons that are integrated with sophisticated sensors, naviga ...
gunship operating under
JSOC targeted a suspected al-Qaeda convoy. The strike killed various potential fighters including Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, and
Sudanese explosive expert Abu Talha al Sudani known as Tariq Abdullah. The convoy had been tracked at night by a
MQ-1 Predator drone. An estimated 5–10 militants were killed and 4-5 injured. A joint U.S.–Ethiopian team landed at the strike location shortly after and confirmed at least 8 killed. According to the
U.S. Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense (DoD, USDOD or DOD) is an executive branch department of the federal government charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government directly related to national secur ...
, the militants killed in this strike were connected to the
1998 embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania.
* January 9
Four towns near the southern city of
Ras Kamboni were targeted by an AC-130 gunship. The strike which was targeting a training camp and al-Qaeda associates, reportedly left 4–31 people killed. The intended target was thought to be Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, the target of a previous airstrike.
Another strike was reported near
Afmadow
Afmadow ( so, Afmadoow) is a city in southern Somalia, located in the middle of the Juba region and bordered by Kenya, Badhadhe, Kismayo, Jamame, Jilib, Hagar, Bardhere and Elwaq in Somalia, 401 km southwest of the capital Mogadishu. It is ...
in which 22–31 people were reported killed.
* January 23
At 4:00 a.m., an AC-130 gunship operating from an airbase in eastern Ethiopia, targeted the town of Waldena in an attempt to kill
Ahmed Madobe
Sheikh Ahmed Mohamed Islaam Madobe ( so, Sheekh Axmed Maxamed Madoobe) is the President of the Jubaland State of Somalia.
Background
Islamic Courts Union
As a member of Islamic Courts Union (ICU) Madobe was governor of Jubaland, in 2006. When ...
. Madobe survived the airstrike but was later captured by American and Ethiopian forces who landed by helicopter at 10:00 a.m.
* June 1
The ''
USS ''Chafee'''' fired a dozen rounds and possibly one cruise missile on the coast of
Bargal
Bargal ( so, Baargaal, ar, بارجال) is a town in the northeastern Bari region of Puntland, Somalia.
Location
Bargal is situated in the mountainous Bari province of the autonomous Puntland state. It serves as the center of the Bargal Dis ...
, in northern Somalia. The strikes were targeting 35 militants that had landed on the coast and had begun to fire on local forces. U.S. officials told ''
The New York Times'' that U.S. operatives were on the ground, leading to the American warship firing in self-defense. 8–12 militants, including some foreign fighters were killed.
2008
* March 3
1–3 cruise missiles were launched by United States at the town of
Dhobley in southern Somalia, four miles from the Kenyan border. The strike was targeting the leader of the Ras Kamboni Brigades known as Hassan Turki, and al-Qaeda member Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan. At the time, Saleh Alii was the subject of a $25 million bounty placed on him by the United States government.
* May 1
Four cruise missiles launched by a U.S. Navy warship struck a compound in
Dhusamareb
Dusmareb ( so, Dhuusamareeb, ar, سمريب, it, Dusa Mareb) is the capital of Galmudug state in central Somalia. The city also serves as the administrative capital of the Galguduud province.
Historically, the city was known as Daar Dheer or sim ...
, in central Somalia. The strike killed senior
al-Shabaab leader
Aden Hashi Ayro and several other fighters. Reports suggest that an
AC-130
The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is a heavily armed, long-endurance, ground-attack variant of the C-130 Hercules transport, fixed-wing aircraft. It carries a wide array of ground-attack weapons that are integrated with sophisticated sensors, naviga ...
was also involved in the operation. The attack purportedly caused al-Shabaab to ban the use of mobile phones by its fighters.
2009
* September 14
''
Operation Celestial Balance'' – After several strikes by warplanes, U.S. commandos launch a helicopter raid near the southern coastal town of
Barawa
Barawa ( so, Baraawe, Maay: ''Barawy'', ar, ﺑﺮﺍﻭة ''Barāwa''), also known as Barawe and Brava, is the capital of the South West State of Somalia.Pelizzari, Elisa. "Guerre civile et question de genre en Somalie. Les événements et leu ...
, killing
Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan after his convoy was tracked as it left
Mogadishu to attend a meeting between Islamic militants.
2011
* April 3–6
During fighting in
Dhobley between Somali forces and al-Shabaab militants, an airstrike took place which killed al-Qaeda commander Jabreel Malik Muhammed. This followed an eighteen month long gap in U.S. strikes in the area.
* June 23
In the first reported lethal drone strike conducted in Somalia, U.S. forces struck a training camp south of
Kismayo
Kismayo ( so, Kismaayo, Maay: ''Kismanyy'', ar, كيسمايو, ; it, Chisimaio) is a port city in the southern Lower Juba (Jubbada Hoose) province of Somalia. It is the commercial capital of the autonomous Jubaland region.
The city is situat ...
, which supposedly resulted in the death of senior al Shabaab leader,
Ibrahim al-Afghani
Ibrahim al-Afghani, also known as Ibrahim Haji Jama Mee'aad, was a prominent member of Somalia's Al-Shabaab, an insurgent group fighting Somalia's Transitional Federal Government.
Afghani formerly held positions as the first deputy leader of Al- ...
. However,
Stratfor
Strategic Forecasting Inc., commonly known as Stratfor, is an American geopolitics publisher and consultancy founded in 1996. Stratfor's business model is to provide individual and enterprise subscriptions to Stratfor Worldview, its online public ...
reported in August that Afghani was still alive and had replaced
Ahmed Abdi Godane
Ahmed Abdi Godane ( so, Axmed Cabdi Godane; ar, أحمد عبدي جودان; 10 July 1977 – 1 September 2014), also known as Mukhtar Abu Zubair, was the Emir (leader) of Al-Shabaab, an Islamist group based in Somalia with ties to Al Qaeda. ...
as the emir of al-Shabaab. Afghani has not appeared in the public since.
* July 6
Early in the morning, U.S. drones hit three al-Shabaab training camps in
Afmadow
Afmadow ( so, Afmadoow) is a city in southern Somalia, located in the middle of the Juba region and bordered by Kenya, Badhadhe, Kismayo, Jamame, Jilib, Hagar, Bardhere and Elwaq in Somalia, 401 km southwest of the capital Mogadishu. It is ...
. It was not confirmed if the United States was responsible for the attack.
* September 15
Three explosions are heard after
Kismayo
Kismayo ( so, Kismaayo, Maay: ''Kismanyy'', ar, كيسمايو, ; it, Chisimaio) is a port city in the southern Lower Juba (Jubbada Hoose) province of Somalia. It is the commercial capital of the autonomous Jubaland region.
The city is situat ...
residents reported aircraft flying over the town. Residents report the aircraft having struck at a forested area where militants are believed to have established a training camp. The aircraft are most likely American warplanes.
* September 25
Series of drone strikes target al-Shabaab militant in Kismayo.
* October 6
Drone strike targets al-Shabaab militants who were retreating into Dolbiyow Village. The attack killed 4 Somali farmers.
* October 13
Drone strike against an al Shabaab base near
Tabda village.
* October 22
US drone attacked on
Afmadow
Afmadow ( so, Afmadoow) is a city in southern Somalia, located in the middle of the Juba region and bordered by Kenya, Badhadhe, Kismayo, Jamame, Jilib, Hagar, Bardhere and Elwaq in Somalia, 401 km southwest of the capital Mogadishu. It is ...
.
* October 23
US and French airstrikes in Kismayo.
2012
* January 21
Three missiles fired by a drone target and kill the British–Lebanese militant
Bilal al-Berjawi Bilal al-Berjawi al-Lubnani (aka Abu Hafsa) was a terror suspect killed by a U.S. drone strike.
He was born in Beirut in September 1984. His parents took him to London where he grew up in St. John's Wood.
In 2006 he attended an al-Qaida training ...
known as Abu Hafsa while he is driving in a car outside Mogadishu.
* February 24
US drone strike targeting a vehicle carrying a senior commander kills 7 militants in
Lower Shabelle, including a prominent Moroccan, and a deputy of
Bilah al-Berjawi.
* August 23
US airstrikes reportedly conducted into the town of
Qandala.
2013
* October 28
2 Islamists killed in drone attack including senior al-Shabaab leader Ibrahim Ali Abdi.
2014
* September 1
US drones and conventional aircraft target al-Shabaab encampments and vehicles. Leader
Ahmed Abdi Godane
Ahmed Abdi Godane ( so, Axmed Cabdi Godane; ar, أحمد عبدي جودان; 10 July 1977 – 1 September 2014), also known as Mukhtar Abu Zubair, was the Emir (leader) of Al-Shabaab, an Islamist group based in Somalia with ties to Al Qaeda. ...
was killed in the strike.
* December 29
US drone strike kills senior leader of al-Shabaab known as Abdishakur, the group's intelligence chief.
2015
* January 31
45-60 al-Shabaab members are reported killed in a US drone strike in Lower Shabelle, after explosions rock a training camp, a house, and several armored vehicles. The U.S. denies its involvement in the strikes. It is the most lethal American attack in Somalia against radical Islamists to date.
In a second strike, senior al-Shabaab leader Yusef Dheeq and an associate are killed while riding in a vehicle.
* March 10
US drones target two al-Shabaab training camps.
* March 12
Adan Garaar, senior member of al-Shabaab and suspect in the Kenyan
Westgate shopping mall attack
On 21 September 2013, four masked gunmen attacked the Westgate shopping mall, an upscale mall in Nairobi, Kenya. There are conflicting reports about the number killed in the attack, since part of the mall collapsed due to a fire that starte ...
, is killed in drone strike that destroyed two vehicles.
* July 15–18
Drone strikes in
Bardera
Bardera ( ar, بارديرا, so, Bardhere) is a city in Jubaland State of Somalia. It is the second largest and most populous city in Jubaland with Kismayo being the largest and most densely populated city in the region. Bardera sits on the Jubb ...
.
* November 22
US strike targets an al-Shabaab base in southern Somalia.
* November 29
Either Kenyan or American planes bomb 3 villages in central
Hiraan
Hiran ( so, Hiiraan, ar, هيران) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in central Somalia and part of the Hirshabelle State.
Overview
Hiran is bordered by the Somali Region of Ethiopia (or the 1908 Convention Line) to the northwest, t ...
.
* December 2
Senior al-Shabaab fighter Abdirahman Sandhere (Ukash) killed in airstrike.
* December 22
al-Shabaab leader Abu Ubaidah killed in drone strike.
2016
US forces conducted 15 airstrikes in Somalia during 2016
* March 5
A massive U.S. airstrike involving multiple aircraft, manned and unmanned, targeted a training camp near the town of Raso (
Buloburde District
Buloburde District ( so, Degmada Buulo-Burte) is a district in the central Hiran region of Somalia
Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl officially the Federal Republic of Soma ...
) killing an estimated 150
al-Shabaab militants. According to U.S. military officials, the American warplanes struck a large gathering of fighters as they were massing in preparation for an attack.
* March 8
US helicopter assist Somali Special Forces who had attacked an al-Shabaab target in southern Somalia.
* March 31
US drone strike target 3 al-Shabaab vehicles in southern Somalia.
* April 1
US airstrikes against al-Shabaab militants.
* April 2
2 US strikes leave 6 people killed in southern Somalia.
* April 6
US drone strike in
Jilib
Jilib (other names: Gilib, Gelib, Jillib, Jillio; ) is a city in Somalia, It is north of Kismaayo.
History
During the Middle Ages, Jilib and its surrounding area was part of the Ajuran Empire that governed much of southern Somalia and eastern Eth ...
leaves 8 people dead.
* April 11
US drone strike attacks an al-Shabaab camp in southern Somalia killing 12 militants.
* May 9–10
The United States, alongside Kenyan and Somali forces, conducted a raid in Toratorow. It is reported that helicopters were also used in the raid.
* May 12
US airstrike kills 5 al-Shabaab members.
* May 27
Senior al-Shabaab leader Abdullahi Haji Daud killed in drone strike.
* June 11
Reportedly, US jets struck al Shabaab targets in the northern autonomous region of
Puntland
Puntland ( so, Puntland, ar, أرض البنط, it, Terra di Punt or ''Paese di Punt''), officially the Puntland State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Puntland ee Soomaaliya, ar, ولاية أرض البنط الصومالية), is a F ...
.
* June 21
3 al-Shabaab members killed in drone strike.
* August 30
Two militants are killed in drone strike near Gobanale.
* September 5
Four militants are killed near the town of Tortoroow, in two "self-defense" strikes.
* September 26
U.S. officials say four al-Shabaab fighters were killed by airstrikes after they attacked a joint U.S.-Somali force near
Kismayo
Kismayo ( so, Kismaayo, Maay: ''Kismanyy'', ar, كيسمايو, ; it, Chisimaio) is a port city in the southern Lower Juba (Jubbada Hoose) province of Somalia. It is the commercial capital of the autonomous Jubaland region.
The city is situat ...
.
* September 28
U.S. aircraft mistakenly target local militia members in the
Puntland
Puntland ( so, Puntland, ar, أرض البنط, it, Terra di Punt or ''Paese di Punt''), officially the Puntland State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Puntland ee Soomaaliya, ar, ولاية أرض البنط الصومالية), is a F ...
region, killing at least 22
Galmudug
Galmudug ( ar, جلمدج; it, Galmudugh), officially Galmudug State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Galmudug ee Soomaaliya), is a Federal Member State in central Somalia, with its capital at Dhusamareb. It is bordered to the north by the P ...
soldiers, as well as some Islamist fighters. The strike led to demonstrations in
Galkayo that saw protesters burn the American flag.
2017
US forces conducted 35 airstrikes in Somalia during 2017
* January 7
Self defense strike against AL-Shabaab militants in Gaduud. No fatalities
* May 5
A US
Navy Seal was killed and three others wounded including a Somali-American interpreter during a
raid
Raid, RAID or Raids may refer to:
Attack
* Raid (military), a sudden attack behind the enemy's lines without the intention of holding ground
* Corporate raid, a type of hostile takeover in business
* Panty raid, a prankish raid by male college ...
in Barii. Four to eight Al-Shabaab militants were killed in the raid. It would be the first time a US service member died by combat in Somalia since 1993
* June 11
Airstrike killed eight Al-Shabaab militants 185 miles Southwest of
Mogadishu
*July 2
Kinetic strike killed one Al-Shabaab militant in
Lower Shabelle region.
* July 5
Self defense strike 300 miles Southwest of Mogadishu killed 13 Al-Shabaab militants and wounded 10 more. The strike came after a Somali military base was attacked.
* July 29
Kinetic strike killed one Al-Shabaab fighter later identified as Ali Muhammad in Southern Somalia.
* August 10
US forces conducted two kinetic strikes killing unknown
* August 16–17
Three defense strikes killed seven Al-Shabaab militants 200 miles Southwest of Mogadishu. The strikes were called in after US and Somali special forces were fired upon while conducting a counter terrorism operation. Reports stated that seven civilians had been killed by warplanes in
Jilib
Jilib (other names: Gilib, Gelib, Jillib, Jillio; ) is a city in Somalia, It is north of Kismaayo.
History
During the Middle Ages, Jilib and its surrounding area was part of the Ajuran Empire that governed much of southern Somalia and eastern Eth ...
. AFRICOM denied the allegations and called the reports "unreliable".
* August 25
US and Somali commandoes reportedly killed 10 unarmed civilians including three children and a woman during a raid. The Somali Army admitted to mistakenly killing the civilians. Africa Command denied the casualty allegations stating that only enemy combatants were killed in the raid.
* August 31
Drone strike near
Barawe
Barawa ( so, Baraawe, Maay Maay, Maay: ''Barawy'', ar, ﺑﺮﺍﻭة ''Barāwa''), also known as Barawe and Brava, is the capital city, capital of the South West State of Somalia, South West State of Somalia.Pelizzari, Elisa. "Guerre civile et ...
killed an Al-Shabaab and injured one other fighter.
* September 5
Precision strike killed three Al-Shabaab militants in Central Somalia
* September 7
Precision strike killed one Al-Shabbab militant
* September 13
Three precision airstrikes killed six Al-Shabaab militants in Southern Somalia
* November 3
Up to 20 ISIS fighters killed by airstrikes in
Puntland
Puntland ( so, Puntland, ar, أرض البنط, it, Terra di Punt or ''Paese di Punt''), officially the Puntland State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Puntland ee Soomaaliya, ar, ولاية أرض البنط الصومالية), is a F ...
, Northeastern Somalia. It is believed to have been the first time the US targeted the Islamic State in Somalia
* November 9
Several Al-Shabaab militants killed by an airstrike in Southern Somalia
* November 10
US airstrike killed up to 13 Al-Shabaab militants according to Somali official in Lower Shabelle
* November 11
One Al-Shabaab fighter killed by airstrike near Gaduud
* November 14
Several Al-Shabaab militants killed by airstrike 60 miles Northwest of Mogadishu
*November 9–14
Airstrikes killed up to 40 militants per
United States Africa Command
The United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM, U.S. AFRICOM, and AFRICOM), is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the United States Department of Defense, headquartered at Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany. It is responsible for U ...
* November 21
Airstrike
An airstrike, air strike or air raid is an offensive operation carried out by aircraft. Air strikes are delivered from aircraft such as blimps, balloons, fighters, heavy bombers, ground attack aircraft, attack helicopters and drones. The offici ...
targeting an Al-Shabaab training camp killed over 100 militants 125 miles Northwest of Mogadishu
* November 27
One ISIS fighter killed by airstrike in Northeastern Somalia
* December 12
Airstrike destroyed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device 65 kilometers Southwest of Mogadishu
* December 15
Airstrike killed eight Al-Shabaab fighters and destroyed one vehicle 30 miles Northwest of Mogadishu
* December 24
Airstrike in Southern Somalia killed 13 Al-Shabaab militants
* December 27
Airstrike killed four Al-Shabaab militants and destroyed one vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, 25 kilometers west of Mogadishu
2018
US forces conducted 47 airstrikes in Somalia during 2018, killing between 326 and 338 people
* January 2
Airstrike killed two Al-Shabaab militants and destroyed one vehicle-borne explosive 50 kilometers West of Mogadishu
* January 18
Airstrike killed four Al-Shabaab militants 50 kilometers Northwest of Kismayo
* February 19
Airstrike killed three Al-Shabaab militants in Jilib
* February 21
Airstrike killed five Al-Shabaab militants in Jamaame
* February 26
Airstrike killed two Al-Shabaab militants and wounded one in Jilib
*March 13
Airstrike in Jamecco killed 12 Al-Shabaab militants and injured 15.
* March 19
Airstrike against Al-Shabaab militants killed two, wounded three, and destroyed one vehicle in near Mubaarak
* April 1
Airstrike near El Burr killed four Al-Shabaab militants and two civilians. It would be the first time the US Military would acknowledge civilians deaths in Somalia.
* April 5
Airstrike near jilib killed three Al-Shabaab militants and destroyed one vehicle
* April 11
Airstrike destroyed an Al-Shabaab vehicle-borne explosive device near Jana Cabdalle
* May 23
Airstrike killed 10 Al-Shabaab militants 15 miles Southwest of Mogadishu
* May 31
Airstrike killed 12 Al-Shabaab militants 30 miles Southeast of Mogadishu
* June 2
Airstrike killed 27 Al-Shabaab militants 26 miles Southwest of Bosasso
* June 8
One US soldier killed, four wounded and one partner force wounded in Al-Shabaab mortar attack in Jubaland
* August 2
Four Al-Shabaab militants killed by airstrike 74 miles Northwest of Mogadishu
* August 21
Airstrike killed two Al-Shabaab militants 46 kilometers Northeast of Kismayo
* August 27
Three Al-Shabaab militants killed by airstrike 40 kilometers Southwest of Mogadishu
* September 11
Two Al-Shabaab militants killed and one wounded by airstrike in Mubaraak
* September 21
Airstrike killed 18 Al-Shabaab militants 50 kilometers Northwest of Kismayo
* October 1
Nine Al-Shabaab militants killed and one wounded by airstrike 40 kilometers Northwest of Kismayo
* October 6
Airstrike kills one Al-Shabaab militant in Kunyo Barrow
* October 12
Airstrike in Harardere killed around 60 Al-Shabaab militants. It was the largest strike in Somalia since November 2017
* October 14
Self-defense strike killed four Al-Shabaab militants in Araara
* October 25
Airstrike killed two Al-Shabaab militants and wounded one in Kunyo Barrow
* November 3
Self-defense strike killed four Al-Shabaab militants in Araara
* November 19
Two airstrikes killed 37 Al-Shabaab militants and destroy one training camp in Debatscile These strikes put the number of US airstrikes in Somalia to 31 during the year 2018.
* November 20
Airstrike in Quy Cad killed seven Al-Shabaab militants
* November 21
Airstrike in
Harardhere
Harardhere (, so, Xarardheere) is a historic town in the Mudug province of Somalia. It is situated in the autonomous Galmudug state and serves as the capital of the Harardhere District.
History
For most of its history, Harardhere was a histo ...
killed six Al-Shabaab militants. A second strike would destroy an Al-Shabaab weapons cache in Harardhere
* November 27
Airstrike in Debatscile (
Hobyo District
Hobyo District ( so, Degmada Hobyo) is a district in the north-central Mudug region of Somalia
Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl officially the Federal Republic of SomaliaTh ...
) killed three Al-Shabaab militants
* November 30
Airstrike killed nine Al-Shabaab militants near Lebede (
Burhakaba District)
* December 4
Self-defense strike killed four Al-Shabaab militants in
Awdheegle
Awdheegle (also Awdhegele) is a town in the Lower Shabelle region in southern Somalia.
Demographics
Awdheegle is located west of Mogadishu on the Shebelle River. Awdheegle is predominantly inhabited by the Begedi clan sub-division of the wider D ...
* December 9
Self-defense strike killed four Al-Shabaab militants in Basra
* December 15
Four
airstrikes
An airstrike, air strike or air raid is an offensive operation carried out by aircraft. Air strikes are delivered from aircraft such as blimps, balloons, fighters, heavy bombers, ground attack aircraft, attack helicopters and drones. The offici ...
in
Gondershe
Gondershe, also known as Gandershe or El Torre, is an ancient landmark on the Somali Sea, as well as a town, in the Lower Shabelle region of Southwest State of Somalia. It is noted for its various historical structures.
Overview
Gendershe (als ...
targeting camp and vehicles killed 34 Al-Shabaab militants
* December 16
Two airstrikes in Gandarshe kill 28 Al-Shabaab militants
* December 19
Two airstrikes in Beled Amin killed 11 Al-Shabaab militants
2019
US forces have conducted a record of more than 60 airstrikes in Somalia during 2019, killing 913–1,011 Al-Shabaab militants
* January 2
Airstrike killed 10 Al-Shabaab militants in Dheerow Sanle (
Dinsoor District
Dinsoor District ( so, Degmada Diinsoor) is a district in the southern Bay region of Somalia. Its capital is Dinsoor
Dinsoor ( so, Diinsoor) is a town in the southwestern Bay region of Somalia.Waaxda Dhexe ee Istaatistikada, p.18 It is the cente ...
)
* January 7
Two self-defense strikes killed four Al-Shabaab militants in Baqdaad
* January 8
Airstrike killed six Al-Shabaab militants and destroyed one vehicle in Yaaq Braawe,
Bay Region
* January 19
Airstrike targeted a large group of Al-Shabaab fighters attacking Somali National Army troops near
Jilib
Jilib (other names: Gilib, Gelib, Jillib, Jillio; ) is a city in Somalia, It is north of Kismaayo.
History
During the Middle Ages, Jilib and its surrounding area was part of the Ajuran Empire that governed much of southern Somalia and eastern Eth ...
killing 52 militants
* January 23
Two airstrikes were conducted in Jilib with at least one Al-Shabaab militant killed. Africa Command also announced that it would no longer release casualty details from its operations with journalist and news agency's having to refer to the Somali Government for casualty details. They would later undo the decision.
* January 30
Airstrike on an Al-Shabaab encampment in the vicinity of
Shebeeley in the
Hiran Region killed 24 militants
* February 1
Airstrike in the village of
Gandarshe in the
Lower Shebelle Region killed 13 Al-Shabaab militants
* February 6
Airstrike in the vicinity of Gandarshe in the
Lower Shabelle Region killed 11 Al-Shabaab militants
* February 7
Airstrike in the vicinity of
Bariire (
Afgooye District
Afgooye District is a district in the southeastern Lower Shabelle (Shabeellaha Hoose) region of Somalia. Its capital lies at Afgooye
Afgooye ( so, Afgooye, ar, أفجويى, it, Afgoi) is a town in the southwestern Somalia Lower Shebelle (Sha ...
) killed four Al-Shabaab militants
* February 8
Airstrike in
Kobon near
Kismayo
Kismayo ( so, Kismaayo, Maay: ''Kismanyy'', ar, كيسمايو, ; it, Chisimaio) is a port city in the southern Lower Juba (Jubbada Hoose) province of Somalia. It is the commercial capital of the autonomous Jubaland region.
The city is situat ...
killed eight Al-Shabaab militants
* February 11
Two airstrikes in
Janaale
Janale ( so, Janaale, ar, جانالة, it, Genale) is a town in the southeastern Lower Shebelle (Shabeellaha Hoose) region of Somalia.
The late Aden Abdullah Osman Daar
Aden Abdulle Osman Daar ( so, Aadan Cabdulle Cismaan Dacar, ar, آ� ...
,
Lower Shabelle Region killed 12 Al-Shabaab militants. The first strike killed eight while the second killed four. The strikes were executed as Somali forces were conducting an operation in the region an AFRICOM press release stated. Al-Shabaab claimed that the strikes hit civilian homes but did not give a casualty number.
* February 23
US forces conducted four airstrikes, two were conducted in
Qunyo Barrow (
Jilib District
Jilib District ( so, Degmada Jilib) is a district in the southern Middle Juba (Jubbada Dhexe) region of Somalia
Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl officially the Federal Repu ...
) and two were conducted in
Awdheegle
Awdheegle (also Awdhegele) is a town in the Lower Shabelle region in southern Somalia.
Demographics
Awdheegle is located west of Mogadishu on the Shebelle River. Awdheegle is predominantly inhabited by the Begedi clan sub-division of the wider D ...
and near
Janalle. The strikes targeted Al-Shabaab facilities and checkpoints and killed two militants according to an AFRICOM press release. Al-Shabaab claimed that one of the strikes killed a 20-day-old baby and his father.
* February 24
Airstrike targeted Al-Shabaab militants 23 miles East of
Beledweyne
Beledweyne ( so, Beledweyne, ar, بلد وين, it, Belet Uen) is a city in central Somalia. Beledweyne District is the capital city of the Hiran region.
The city is situated in the Shebelle Valley riverine near the Ethiopian border, 210 miles ...
in the
Hiran Region. The strike killed 35 militants who were "transitioning between locations" according to an AFRICOM press release.
*February 25
Airstrike near Shebeeley in the Hiran Region killed 20 Al-Shabaab militants
*February 28
Airstrike in the Hiran Region killed 26 Al-Shabaab militants bringing the number of airstrikes in Somalia conducted by US forces during 2019 to 24.
*March 11
Somali soldiers and US advisors were fired upon in Darasalam,
Qoriyoley District
Qoriyoley District ( so, Degmada Qoriyoley) is a district in the southeastern Lower Shabelle (Shabeellaha Hoose) region of Somalia
Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl official ...
, a self-defense strike in response would kill eight Al-Shabaab militants. No US or Somali soldiers were harmed
*March 12
Airstrike in Huley,
Burhakaba District, killed two Al-Shabaab militants
*March 13
Self-Defence strike in support of Somali National Security Forces in
Malayle,
Lower Juba
Lower Juba ( so, Jubbada Hoose, Maay: ''Jubithy Hoosy'', ar, جوبا السفلى, it, Basso Giuba) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in southern Somalia. With its capital at Kismayo, it lies in the autonomous Jubaland region. It has gre ...
Region, killed three Al-Shabaab militants according to an AFRICOM press release.
* April 14
Airstrike managed to kill Abdulhakim Dhuqub, a high ranking ISIS-Somalia official, near Xiriiro,
Iskushuban District.
* July 27
A militant that
AFRICOM
The United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM, U.S. AFRICOM, and AFRICOM), is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the United States Department of Defense, headquartered at Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany. It is responsible for U. ...
believed to play a valuable role in the
Islamic State in Somalia
The Islamic State in Somalia (short: ISS) or Abnaa ul-Calipha is an Islamic State–affiliated group that primarily operates in the mountainous areas of Puntland, though has also claimed responsibility for several terrorist attacks throughout the ...
group was killed during an airstrike in the
Golis Mountains
The Golis Mountains are a mountain range in Somaliland. Also known as ''Qar Golis'', they cut through the Togdheer region, and end near the Gan Libah.
Jerato Pass
This range has a mountain pass known as the "Jerrato Pass".
See also
* Cal Mado ...
of Puntland.
* August 20
Airstrike in the vicinity of Qunyo Barrow, Jilib District, killing one terrorist.
* October 1
Airstrike killed nine suspected militants and injured another, after al-Shabaab attacked Somali government forces about 40 kilometers northeast of
Kismayo
Kismayo ( so, Kismaayo, Maay: ''Kismanyy'', ar, كيسمايو, ; it, Chisimaio) is a port city in the southern Lower Juba (Jubbada Hoose) province of Somalia. It is the commercial capital of the autonomous Jubaland region.
The city is situat ...
in Lower Juba Province.
* October 6
Airstrike near Qunyo Barrow, Jilib District, killing one terrorist.
* October 25
Airstrike targeted Islamic militants near Ameyra, south of
Bosaso
Bosaso ( so, Boosaaso, ar, بوصاصو), historically known as Bender Cassim is a city in the northeastern Bari province ('' gobol'') of Somalia. It is the seat of the Bosaso District. Located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden, the mun ...
, which killed three of their leaders.
* November 19
Airstrike near Qunyo Barrow, Jilib District killing one terrorist.
* December 16
Airstrike in Dujuuma,
Bu'ale District, killing one terrorist.
* December 30
Airstrikes, in the villages of Qunyo Barrow (Jilib District) and Aliyow Barrow (
Balcad district), killed four Al-Shabaab militants and destroyed two vehicles, following the
Mogadishu bombing.
2020
As of April 2020, US forces have conducted 32 airstrikes in Somalia.
* February
A U.S. airstrike killed Bashir Mohamed Mahamoud, also known by the alias Bashir Qorgab, who was a military commander of al-Shabaab on 22 February in
Saakow,
Middle Juba region. The
Rewards for Justice The Rewards for Justice Program (RFJ) is the counterterrorism and counterintelligence platform administered by the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service agency. The Rewards For Justice program is seeking information leading to the ...
used to offer a $5 million reward for information that brings him to justice since 2008.
Another airstrike killed an employee of the telecoms
Hormuud Telecom. It was aimed at al-Shabaab in
Jilib
Jilib (other names: Gilib, Gelib, Jillib, Jillio; ) is a city in Somalia, It is north of Kismaayo.
History
During the Middle Ages, Jilib and its surrounding area was part of the Ajuran Empire that governed much of southern Somalia and eastern Eth ...
,
Middle Juba.
* March
A press release from the U.S. Africa Command indicates that an airstrike was carried out near
Janaale
Janale ( so, Janaale, ar, جانالة, it, Genale) is a town in the southeastern Lower Shebelle (Shabeellaha Hoose) region of Somalia.
The late Aden Abdullah Osman Daar
Aden Abdulle Osman Daar ( so, Aadan Cabdulle Cismaan Dacar, ar, آ� ...
that killed five terrorists without any civilian casualties. However, a news outlet spoke with residents of Janaale who indicated that a 13-year-old boy and an elderly disabled man were killed on the attack, wherein a missile struck a mini-bus. A member of the Somali Parliament, Mahad Dore, confirmed the attack and that civilians were killed.
After
Amnesty International
Amnesty International (also referred to as Amnesty or AI) is an international non-governmental organization focused on human rights, with its headquarters in the United Kingdom. The organization says it has more than ten million members and sup ...
accused the US military of providing no accountability for civilian victims of airstrikes, Africom's commander announced on March 31 that quarterly reports detailing civilian death allegations would be included in the future, along with investigation progress of those claims. An
Airwars
Airwars is a London, UK-based not-for-profit company that tracks and archives the international air war against Islamic State and other groups in Iraq, Syria and Libya, and assesses and follows up on credible allegations of civilian casualties fr ...
spokesperson responded by saying that militaries conduct post-strike investigations from the air with few ground assessments.
* April
A U.S. airstrike killed three extremists including a senior leader, Yusuf Jiis, near Bush Madina in the
Bay
A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a gulf, sea, sound, or bight. A cove is a small, circular bay with a na ...
region on 2 April. Another airstrike killed five al-Shabab members near Jilib on 6 April.
* August
Somalian authorities mentioned that a U.S. drone strike killed a high-ranking member of al-Shabab, Abdel Kader Othman, near the southwestern town of Kurtunwarey (
Kurtunwarey District).
*September
A U.S. Military advisor was injured and three Somali special forces personal were killed during an al-Shabab vehicle-borne and mortar attack on a U.S. and Somali partner force in the vicinity of Jana Cabdalle (
Afmadow District
Afmadow is a district in Lower Jubba of Somalia. The district capital is Afmadow
Afmadow ( so, Afmadoow) is a city in southern Somalia, located in the middle of the Juba region and bordered by Kenya, Badhadhe, Kismayo, Jamame, Jilib, Hagar, B ...
) on September 7.
*December
President Donald Trump ordered the
Department of Defense to remove the majority of the 700 U.S. military troops in Somalia from the country in December 2020.
2021
* January 17
U.S. Africa Command affirms that the United States has completed its troop withdrawal from Somalia.
* January 19
Airstrikes in
Jamaame
Jamame ( so, Jamaame, ar, جمامة, it, Giamama formerly ''Villaggio Regina Margherita''), also spelled Giamame, is a town in the southern Lower Juba (Jubbada Hoose) region of Somalia. There are many farms located near Jamame. The equator pas ...
and Deb Scinnele (
Wanlaweyn District
Wanlaweyn District ( so, Degmada Wanlaweyn) is a district in the southeastern Lower Shabelle (Shabeellaha Hoose) region of Somalia
Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl official ...
) killed three al-Shabaab militants
* July 20
The U.S. carried out its first airstrike in Somalia under the
Biden administration
Joe Biden's tenure as the 46th president of the United States began with his inauguration on January 20, 2021. Biden, a Democrat from Delaware who previously served as vice president under Barack Obama, took office following his victory ...
against al-Shabaab militants near
Galkayo.
* July 23
The U.S. military conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants near
Galmudug
Galmudug ( ar, جلمدج; it, Galmudugh), officially Galmudug State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Galmudug ee Soomaaliya), is a Federal Member State in central Somalia, with its capital at Dhusamareb. It is bordered to the north by the P ...
.
* August 1
The U.S. military conducted an airstrike in the vicinity of Qeycad (
Harardhere District
Harardhere District ( so, Degmada Xarardheere) is a district in the north-central Mudug region of Somalia. Its capital is Harardhere
Harardhere (, so, Xarardheere) is a historic town in the Mudug province of Somalia. It is situated in the a ...
) targeted al-Shabaab militants who were engaging members of the
Danab
The Danab Brigade ( Somali: Ciidamada Danab, "''Lightning Force"'') is a highly trained Somali National Army commando force. Its strikes have repeatedly raided land in quick succession previously held by Somali Al-Qaeda linked insurgents Al-Shab ...
.
* August 24
U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab fighters engaged in active combat with Somali forces.
2022
* February 23 and 24
U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists after they attacked Somali forces in a remote location near Duduble (
Wanlaweyn District
Wanlaweyn District ( so, Degmada Wanlaweyn) is a district in the southeastern Lower Shabelle (Shabeellaha Hoose) region of Somalia
Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl official ...
) on February 22.
* May 17
President Biden approved Pentagon's request to redeploy US Troops in Somalia. The official said that "under 500" troops will be sent back to the country.
* July 17
U.S Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists, killing two, after they "attacked partner forces in a remote location near
Libikus, Somalia."
*August 9
U.S Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists who "attacked Somali National Army Forces near
Beledweyne
Beledweyne ( so, Beledweyne, ar, بلد وين, it, Belet Uen) is a city in central Somalia. Beledweyne District is the capital city of the Hiran region.
The city is situated in the Shebelle Valley riverine near the Ethiopian border, 210 miles ...
, Somalia"
*August 14
U.S Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists near
Teedaan, Somalia to support Somali troops carrying out military operations against Al Shabaab in Hiran region, killing 13 Al Shabaab fighters.
It was soon afterwards reported that the Somali National Army successfully captured Al Shabaab's biggest base, which was located in the region.
*September 18
Airstrike near
Buulobarde kills 27 al-Shabaab terrorists attacking Somali National Army forces.
The defensive strikes allowed the Somali National Army and African Union Transition Mission in Somalia forces to regain the initiative and continue the operation to disrupt al-Shabaab in the Hiraan region of central Somalia.
This operation against al-Shabaab is reported to be the largest combined Somali and
ATMIS
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is an active African Union transition and drawdown mission from peacekeeping operations in Somalia. Formerly the African Union Mission to Somalia, ATMIS's mandate will end in 2024, with full ...
offensive operation in five years.
*October 1
U.S. drone strike near the coastal town of Haramka, located near
Jilib
Jilib (other names: Gilib, Gelib, Jillib, Jillio; ) is a city in Somalia, It is north of Kismaayo.
History
During the Middle Ages, Jilib and its surrounding area was part of the Ajuran Empire that governed much of southern Somalia and eastern Eth ...
. Strike kills senior al-Shabaab leader Abdullah Yare.
Prior to his death, Yare had a $3 million bounty.
At the time of his death, he was also in line to succeed ailing al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Diriye.
*October 26
U.s. airstrike kills two al-Shabaab jihadis in
Buloburde
Buloburde, also spelled Buloburti or Bulobarde, is a city in Somalia's central Hiran region.
Overview
Buloburde is situated along the Shabelle River, near Jalalaqsi. It is the center of the Buloburde District.
In March 2014, Somali Armed Forc ...
,
Hiran, according to the
United States Africa Command
The United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM, U.S. AFRICOM, and AFRICOM), is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the United States Department of Defense, headquartered at Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany. It is responsible for U ...
; they were attacking
Somali soldiers.
Casualties
By August 2022,
Airwars
Airwars is a London, UK-based not-for-profit company that tracks and archives the international air war against Islamic State and other groups in Iraq, Syria and Libya, and assesses and follows up on credible allegations of civilian casualties fr ...
estimated that 78-153 civilians were killed by US airstrikes in Somalia since 2007, including 20-23 children, 12-13 women, and 79 named victims. The US has acknowledged only 5 civilian deaths in Somalia. American strikes also injured 34-49 civilians.
See also
*
War in Somalia War in Somalia can refer to:
*Somali Civil War (1991–present)
:*War in Somalia (1992–1993) U.N. Unified Task Force
:*Somalia War (2006–2009), Ethiopian intervention
:*Somali Civil War (2009–present)
The Somali Civil War (2009–prese ...
*
Operation Ocean Shield
*
Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa
*
Drone strikes in Pakistan,
Afghanistan
Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...
,
Yemen and
Libya
*
Timeline of United States military operations
This timeline of United States government military operations, based in part on reports by the Congressional Research Service, shows the years and places in which U.S. military units participated in armed conflicts or occupation of foreign territ ...
References
Further reading
* Brendon J. Cannon (2020) "What’s in it for us? Armed drone strikes and the security of Somalia’s Federal Government." ''Small Wars & Insurgencies'', 31:4, 773–800, DOI: 10.1080/09592318.2020.1743489
{{DEFAULTSORT:American military intervention in Somalia (2007-2021)
Somali Civil War (2009–present)
Somalia
21st-century military history of the United States
Somalia–United States relations