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

14 September 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr212

Location

شبوة, Shabwa, Yemen
One local language social media source, @GawadSalah, claimed, on September 15th 2019, that six Emiratis were killed in an alleged AQAP camp in Shabwa by a US drone strike. The source seemed to refer to six Emirati soldiers reported, on September 14th 2019, to have been killed in a road "collision" in southern Yemen. Other…

Summary

Published
14 September 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 September 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr211

Location

عقبة القنذع, Aqaba Al Qandha, Al Bayda, Yemen
Three US drone strikes reportedly targeted a convoy of alleged AQAP militants travelling through Aqaba Al Qandha area of Shabwa governorate, on the morning of September 2nd 2019. No known sources gave information on casualties of the strikes, and there were no known associated reports of civilian harm. "Private sources" told Shabwa Press that US…

Summary

Published
2 September 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

31 August 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr209

Location

عرقوب, Arqoub, Abyan, Yemen
A few local language social-media sources suggested that US strikes, reportedly including a naval bombardment and at least one air strike, had targeted "terrorist groups", possibly AQAP, in Arqoub in Abyan governorate, on August 31st 2019, killing "dozens". Some suggested that the "terrorists" were amongst or affiliated with pro-government forces. There were no known associated…

Summary

Published
31 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike, Naval bombardment
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces, United Arab Emirates Military
View Incident

Incident Date

31 August 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr210

Location

مارب, Ma'rib, Yemen
At least five US drone strikes reportedly targeted alleged "terrorist" militants, variously alleged to be AQAP or ISIS-affiliated, in the Marib governorate Third Regional Military Command area of the pro-government military, just after midnight on August 31st 2019, according to multiple social media sources. One source, however, instead alleged that Emirati artillery shelling had targeted…

Summary

Published
31 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Artillery
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

28–29 August, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr208

Location

مارب, Ma'rib, Yemen
One local-language social-media source, @HAlwlaqi, suggested that at least one US drone strike had targeted "Islah terrorist militia" camps in Marib, including in the "third regional command", apparently overnight from August 28th-29th 2019. Another, @muneeffaisal1, stated at around the same time that a US drone had targeted a "military convoy" in Marib, possibly referring to…

Summary

Published
28 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

27 August 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr207

Location

الحوطة, Al Houta, Shabwa, Yemen
One local-language social media source, @wael_shaifan, suggested late on August 27th 2019 that at least one US drone strike had targeted gatherings of alleged AQAP militants in Al Houta town, Shabwa governorate. Three other social media sources further indicated that US strikes had taken place in Shabwa that evening, but did not offer specific information.…

Summary

Published
27 August 2019
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident