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

24 August 2021

Incident Code

USYEMBi002

Location

Yemen
Two alleged members of Al Qaeda were killed in US airstrikes in Yemen sometime before August 24, 2021. According to a Facebook post from Mushir Al Mashrai, Al-Qaeda organization in Yemen mourned Rashid Al-Ghazali and his brother Abu Asim, who said that they were killed in an American raid. A tweet from @GhalebM0nz1i7 reported that the…

Summary

Published
24 August 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

16 March 2021

Incident Code

USYEMBi001-C

Location

حي جو النسيم, Jao Al Naseem, Ma'rib, Yemen
Local sources in Marib reported casualties among civilians as a result of a reported attack either by a US-drone on a car entering a popular market in Marib - or by a Houthi balluistic missile strike on the market - on March 16th, 2021. While @aalnaasi said the attack happened on Dahbeel station in Al-Naseem,…

Summary

Published
16 March 2021
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Commerce (Market), Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

14 December 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr233

Location

البطحة, Al Batha, Ma'rib, Yemen
At least one person, believed to be affiliated with Al Qaeda, was reported killed in an alleged US drone strike on a motorcycle in the Al Batha area, Marib governorate, on December 14th, 2020, according to local sources. Al Arabiya reported that according to a source within the local authority in Marib, "an unmanned drone,…

Summary

Published
14 December 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

14 November 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr232

Location

استراحة النخيل ـ محطة بن معيلي, Al-Nakhil Resthouse - Bin Maeili Station, Ma'rib, Yemen
Local sources reported the injury of up to three members of Al-Qaeda after a drone attack that targeted them near a farm close to Bin Maeili Station in Wadi Abeeda, Ma'reb on November 14th, 2020. @abdalrzeg8713 tweeted that one of the three members was injured by a US drone attack. However, 7adramout.net said that three…

Summary

Published
14 November 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

27 October 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr231-C

Location

عرق آل شبوان, Irq Al Shabwan, Ma'rib, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants' Vitara vehicle in the ‘Irq Al Shabwan area of Al Wadi district in Marib governorate on 27 October 2020 killing between two and three militants and wounding one, according to local sources. Almawqaea Post noted that a local source had named the militants as being members…

Summary

Published
27 October 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4 September 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr230

Location

شقرة, Shakra, Abyan, Yemen
Some local-language social media sources suggested that a US drone strike targeted alleged militants in Shaqra, Khanfar district of Abyan governorate, early on September 4th 2020. Most reports, however, instead indicated that strikes had been carried out by a drone of the UAE or UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council just after midnight, targeting forces associated with…

Summary

Published
4 September 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident