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

26 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250426a

Location

حي ١٤ اوكتوبر بمديرية السبعين، صَنْعَاء‎, 14th of October neighbourhood, Al Sab’een district, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
A woman, identified only as Batoul, was killed by an alleged US airstrike on the “October 14 neighbourhood” on 26 April, 2025. Missing under the rubble, her body was found more than 16 hours after the strike. A video shared by @TvAlmasirah showed Batoul’s husband, “search[ing] for his wife under the rubble of his destroyed…

Summary

Published
15 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

24 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250424a

Location

مديرية بير زيد الشمالية، الجراف، صنعاء, Bir Zaid neighbourhood, Al-Jarf area, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
Between one and three civilians were injured by an alleged US airstrikes on the Bir Zaid neighbourhood in Al-Jarf, Sanaa on April 24, 2025. The strikes reportedly occurred in the middle of the night. @TvAlmasirah quoted the Ministry of Health which stated that three citizens were injured by the US “aggression” on Al-Jarf neighbourhood in…

Summary

Published
16 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, Vehicle (Car, Truck)
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

20 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250420a

Location

سوق في حي فروة، مديرية شعوب، صنعاء, Market in Furwa neighbourhood, Shu'ub District, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
At least thirteen civilians were killed and between 30 and 34 others injured when an airstrike or air defense missile hit the Furwa neighbourhood market during the evening of 20 April, 2025. Sources diverged on whether the US or Houthis were responsible. Ibrahim Khalil Muhammad was killed, as was Ramzi Zakaria Fahim al-Badawi, Essam al-Arabi,…

Summary

Published
15 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Infrastructure
Commerce (Market), Vehicle (Motorcycle, Car, Truck)
Civilians reported killed
13–14
Civilians reported injured
30–34
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250419a

Location

حي النهضة السكني، صَنْعَاء, Al-Nahda neighbourhood, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
Two civilians were killed and two others were injured by alleged US airstrike on the Al-Nahda neighborhood in the Al-Thawra district of Sana'a, Yemen on April 19, 2025. The strike also reportedly killed three Houthi leaders. A Facebook post from "Palestine and Yemen News" reported "Two martyrs and two wounded" by US "aggression" on the…

Summary

Published
2 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250419b

Location

مديرية بني مطر, Bani Matar, Sanaa, Yemen
A Facebook post from “Abu Yahya Al-Eryani New” reported that one civilian was killed and one other was wounded by US raids on Bani Matar. Multiple other local sources, including @TvAlmasirah and @Alyemen_One, provided a similar death and injury toll. No other details were found among local sources about the victims. Where sources identified a…

Summary

Published
12 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250419c

Location

مقبرة ماجل الدمة، حي الصافية، صَنْعَاء‎, Majel Ad-Damna Cemetery, Al-Safiyah District, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
Two civilians, a young man and his daughter, were injured when alleged US airstrikes struck the Majel Ad-Damna cemetery in the Al-Safiyah neighborhood of Sana'a, Yemen the evening of April 19, 2025. A Houthi leader was also reportedly killed in the strike. @TvAlmasirah reported that one person was wounded by a US strike on the…

Summary

Published
16 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Cultural Site, Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident