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

25 January 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr140

Location

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen
A US airstrike targeted AQAP in Bayda governorate on January 25th 2018, a US Central Command spokesperson later told the Long War Journal. Our Arabic-language researchers found no local reports of a US strike on that day, and there were no known claims of civilian harm.

Summary

Published
25 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

20 January 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr139

Location

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen
A US airstrike targeted AQAP in Bayda governorate on January 20th 2018, a US Central Command spokesperson later told the Long War Journal. A review by our Arabic-language researchers found no other local sources reporting a strike on that day, and there were no known reports of civilian harm.

Summary

Published
20 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

16 January 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr138

Location

مديرية الصومعة, Al Suma'a District, Al Bayda, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly killed an alleged AQAP militant on a motorbike in Sama'a district, in Bayda governorate, on the evening of January 16th 2018. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Both @demolinari and @AdenNowNews reported that Akram Al-Adeni was killed by a US strike in Sama'a on that day; according…

Summary

Published
16 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

13 January 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr137

Location

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen
A US strike targeted AQAP in Al Bayda governorate on January 13th 2018, a US Central Command spokesperson later told the Long War Journal. There were no other known local reports of a US strike on that day, nor was any information provided on casualties or other circumstances of the strike. It is possible that…

Summary

Published
13 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr136

Location

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen
A US strike targeted ISIS in Bayda governorate on January 12th 2018, a US Central Command spokesperson later told Long War Journal. No other known sources reported a US strike against ISIS at that time. It is possible that this statement referred to one of the US strikes reportedly conducted in Qayfa on January 12th…

Summary

Published
12 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr133

Location

ذي كالب , Dhi Kalib, Al Bayda, Yemen
At least five alleged AQAP militants were killed in the course of at least four reported US drone strikes in Qayfa, Bayda governorate, on the evening of January 12th 2018.  According to local-language news sources, at least one strike targeted the area of Dhi Kalib village. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.…

Summary

Published
12 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident