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
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

30 January 2023

Incident Code

USYEMBi008

Location

محطة الحايرة, Al Hayra petrol station, Ma'rib, Yemen
On January 30th 2023, an alleged United States drone strike was reported to have hit a car in Wadi Ubaidah in the Marib Governorate of Yemen. Three people were allegedly killed who were in the car at the time, who Al Mahara and other local sources reported were "members of Al-Qaeda", including a prominent leader…

Summary

Published
30 January 2023
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 November 2022

Incident Code

USYEMBi007

Location

حدبا العوشان, Hadba Al Awshan, Ma'rib, Yemen
Between one to three civilians, including a woman and two children, were reported killed and up to five others, including a woman, a child and two paramedics, were injured in alleged US drone strikes on a home in the Al-Hadba area of Al-Wadi, Marib on November 30, 2022. A member of Ansar al-Sharia (AQAP) who…

Summary

Published
30 November 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 February 2022

Incident Code

USYEMBi006

Location

الكولة, Al Kawlah, Ma'rib, Yemen
On February 6th 2022, an alleged US drone strike was reported to have struck a car with Al-Qaeda members inside, possibly including a "suspected leader."  All passengers - reported as Al-Qaeda militants - in the car were reported to have been "killed and wounded", and civilian casualties were also reported of those "who were near…

Summary

Published
6 February 2022
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15 December 2021

Incident Code

USYEMTr238

Location

آل عوشان, Al Awshan, Ma'rib, Yemen
At least one Al Qaeda member was killed by alleged US drone strikes on a house in the Hadba Al-Awshan area on December 15, 2021. Yemen Anbaa News reported that a drone believed to be American killed an emir of Al Qaeda in an abandoned house in the Hadba Al-Awshan area. He was alleged to…

Summary

Published
15 December 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2021

Incident Code

USYEMBi003

Location

حدبى ال عوشان, Hadba Al Aushan, Shabwa, Yemen
At least one person, identified as an Al-Qaeda affiliate, was killed in alleged US drone strikes on the Al-Hadba area in the Wadi Marib district of Yemen the afternoon of November 13, 2021. A post from Hudhud Sabaa news alleged that a US drone strike targeted an Al-Qaeda affiliate from Al-Dhalea’s Al-Dhalea district in Hadbaa Al-Aushan.…

Summary

Published
13 November 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

13 November 2021

Incident Code

USYEMBi004-C

Location

عقبة امقوة, Aqba Amkawa, Shabwa, Yemen
At least one civilian was killed and another civilian, a woman, was injured in alleged Saudi Coalition or US drone strikes on the Olaya Markha district of Shabwa governorate. Sources were conflicted about whether the other two to three people killed and two to three people wounded were civilians or members of Al Qaeda. A Facebook…

Summary

Published
13 November 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported killed
1–4
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident