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

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444 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

26 April 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr224

Location

جبل الحاول, Jabal Al Hawl, Shabwa, Yemen
A possible US drone or airstrike reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in Jabal Al Hawl, overlooking Wadi Amaqin, in the Rawda district of Shabwa, on the morning of April 26th 2020. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Local sources told Marib Today that the strike had targeted AQAP leaders, while 7adramout and…

Summary

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

Incident Date

25 April 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr223

Location

بين الخدراء والنبيق, Al Khudra and Al Nabeeq, Shabwa, Yemen
One or more US drone strikes reportedly killed at least six alleged AQAP militants between the towns of Al Khudra and Al Nabeeq, in the Beihan district of Shabwa governorate, on the afternoon of April 25th 2020. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Yemeni tribal and security sources told Associated Press, on…

Summary

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

Incident Date

11 April 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr222-C

Location

منزل الشيخ علي بن حسن بن غريب, House of Sheik Ali bin Hassan bin Gharib, Ma'rib, Yemen
According to some sources, a US drone strike targeted alleged AQAP militants in the house of Ali Bin Hassan Bin Gharib, an Islah leader, in Shabwana, in Marib governorate in the early morning of April 11th 2020. However others suggested that a Houthi ballistic missile was responsible. While Bin Gharib was reportedly unharmed, some indicated…

Summary

Published
11 April 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Artillery
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

29 January 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr221

Location

الحصن المشرف, Al Hosson Al Mashrif, Al Bayda, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly killed AQAP leaders Qasim Al-Raymi and Abu Al-Baraa Al-Ibbi as they travelled in a car through Yakla, Bayda governorate, on January 29th 2020. This was one of three alleged January strikes in which Qasim al-Raymi was reportedly killed - with his death in one of those actions later confirmed by…

Summary

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

Incident Date

27 January 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr219-C

Location

لحزمة, Al Hazma, Ma'rib, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly targeted an alleged AQAP site in Al Hazma village, in the Wadi Obeida area of Marib governorate, at dawn on January 27th 2020. Multiple sources suggested that at least one alleged AQAP militant had died in the strike, and one source, Mint Press News, reported that civilians near the house…

Summary

Published
27 January 2020
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

27 January 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr220

Location

بن معيلي, Bin Ma'aili Station, Ma'rib, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly targeted a car transporting six alleged AQAP militants near Bin Ma'ali Station, in Marib governorate, on the morning of January 27th 2020. The strike came alongside a second reported US action (USYEMTr219-C) on January 27th in Al Hazmia, also in Marib. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.…

Summary

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