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 August 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr206

Location

القوز, Al Qawz, Abyan, Yemen
At least one US drone strike reportedly targeted a convoy of alleged AQAP militants near the town of Al Qawz, in the Mudiyah district of Abyan governorate, late on August 26th 2019. There was no known available information on casualties, and no known associated reports of civilian harm. A local source told Al-Masdar Online that…

Summary

Published
26 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

24 August 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr205

Location

عقبة القنذع, Aqaba Al Qandha, Al Bayda, Yemen
One local-language social media source, @tlaal661, reported on August 24th 2019 that two US airstrikes had targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Aqaba Al Qandha area "between Al-Bayda and Shabwa" governorates. There were no known further public reports of a strike, and no information about alleged casualties was available. The report came a few days…

Summary

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

Incident Date

22 August 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr204

Location

المشيريف, Mashreif valley, Al Bayda, Yemen
One source, Yemen Shabab, reported that a US drone strike had killed three alleged AQAP militants driving in the Mashreif area of Bayda governorate, on August 22nd 2019. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. One other Twitter source, @tlaal661, suggested on August 22nd that a "second" US strike had targeted AQAP in…

Summary

Published
22 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

20–21 August, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr203

Location

المشيريف, Mashreif valley, Al Bayda, Yemen
At least one US drone strike reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in Mashreif, on the border between Bayda and Marib governorates, overnight from August 20th-21st 2019, resulting in deaths and injuries. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several sources, including Sky New Arabia and Yafa News, simply indicated that a drone had…

Summary

Published
21 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

8 July 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr202

Location

مريب, Ma'rib, Ma'rib, Yemen
One Telegram source, Mutabaa Akhbariya, reported that a US drone strike targeted alleged AQAP ammunition and weapon stores in Marib city, in Marib governorate, on the evening of July 8th 2019. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Mutabaa Akhbariya stated that, according to "intelligence sources", six people were killed and twelve wounded…

Summary

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

Incident Date

4 July 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr201

Location

بيت الشيخ سلطان العرادة, House of Sheikh Sultan Al Arada, Ma'rib, Yemen
Several local language sources reported that a US drone strike targeted the house of Marib provincial governor, Sheikh Sultan Al Arada, at dawn on July 4th 2019. Others, including Yemeni government officials, instead asserted that the strike was conducted by Houthi militias with a ballistic missile. There were varying assessments of casualties resulting from the…

Summary

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