U.S. Forces in Yemen

U.S. forces conducted the first known drone strike in Yemen in 2002, and have conducted periodic strikes against Al-Qaeda since 2009. In late 2023, Houthi militants began attacking shipping in the Red Sea in support of Palestinian militants in Gaza. In response, US-led forces began a campaign against the Houthis, with an escalation March-May 2025.

Airwars has documented all allegations of civilian harm from U.S. strikes in Yemen since 2009, and has produced a number of reports and investigations into the allegations of harm.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

442 – 640

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely U.S. Forces actions in Yemen for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the U.S. Forces. These originate from 152 separate alleged incidents.

90 – 110
children likely killed
38 – 57
women likely killed
470
likely injured
422
named victims

U.S. Forces estimate of civilian deaths

13

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S. Forces actions in Yemen, originating from 3 separate incidents of civilian harm.

2
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
548 – 824
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S. Forces actions in Yemen.
152 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
442 – 640
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S. Forces
96 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
39 – 52
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
30 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
67 – 132
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
26 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
0 seperate alleged incidents

Civilian Casualty Incidents — U.S. Forces in Yemen

Start Date

End Date

Strike Type

Causes of Death / Injury

Strike Status

Civilian Harm Status

Belligerent Assessment

Casualty

Infrastructure

Search

444 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

5 May 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250505a

Location

شارع الأربعين، منطقة سعوان، منطقة شعوب، صنعاء, Al-Arbaeen Street, Saawan area, Shu'ub District, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
At least 14 people were reported injured by an alleged bombardment on Al-Arbaeen Street in the Sha’oub District of Yemen’s capital, Sana’a on 5 May, 2025. While most sources alleged US involvement, one source claimed the damage was due to a failed Houthi missile launched in an attempt to “intercept a US reconnaissance plane”. While…

Summary

Published
20 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Commerce, Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported injured
14–16
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 May 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250505b

Location

شارع المطار مديرية بني الحارث، صنعاء, Airport Street, Bani Al-Harith District, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
The Ministry of Health and Environment provided a statement to the Yemeni News Agency (Saba) that announced that a citizen was injured by US raids on Airport (Al-Matar) Street in the Bani Al-Harith District of Sanaa. Multiple sources, including @AlMayadeenLive and the Facebook page of the Public Health and Population Office, Al Hudaydah Governorate, quoted…

Summary

Published
20 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 May 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250502a

Location

حي عصر، صَنْعَاء‎, Asr neighbourhood, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
Three people were reported injured by an alleged US airstrike on the Asr area of Sanaa during the evening of 2 May, 2025. All of the sources quoted the Ministry of Health, which reported that three citizens were injured by US "aggression" in the Asr area in Al-Wahda district. Facebook user Earok explained that the…

Summary

Published
20 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250429a

Location

صرف، بني حشيش, Sarf area, Bani Hushaish district, Sanaa, Yemen
A man and his son were injured by alleged US airstrikes on the Al-Daqiq/Al-Sabah Sardeef neighbourhood of Sanaa,Yemen on April 29, 2025. Multiple sources, including @mashhadyemeni and @alymennet, reported that the US carried out two airstrikes on the Bani Hashish district, east of Sanaa Governorate. Middle East Eye spoke with a survivor of the strikes,…

Summary

Published
16 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

28 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250428a

Location

السجن الاحتياطي، صعدة, Remand Detention Center, Sadaa, Sadaa, Yemen
68 civilians housed in Sadaa's Remand Detention Centre were killed and at least 47 injured by alleged US airstrikes on the morning of 28 April, 2025. The Centre primarily held migrants coming from African countries and was believed to be holding 115 people at the time of the strike. Yemen is a frequent route for…

Summary

Published
16 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Legal (Prison)
Civilians reported killed
68
Civilians reported injured
47–65
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

27 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250427a

Location

منطقة ثقبان بمديرية بني الحارث, Thaqban area, Bani al-Harith District, Sanaa, Yemen
At around 8pm on 27th April 2025, at least 11 civilians, including eight children and two women, were killed and four others, including three children, were injured by alleged US airstrikes on four homes in the Thaqban area in Bani al-Harith District of Sanaa, Yemen. @TvAlmasirah provided an initial toll of eight citizens killed, including…

Summary

Published
16 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential (House), Vehicle (Truck)
Civilians reported killed
11–13
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident