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

443 – 642

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
424
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
539 – 824
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S. Forces actions in Yemen.
152 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
443 – 642
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S. Forces
97 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
39 – 52
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
30 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
57 – 130
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
25 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

8 October 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr104

Location

سعود, Saud archaeological area, Ma'rib, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly killed at least four alleged AQAP militants in Raghwan district, Marib governorate, on October 8th 2017. The strike was later confirmed by a US Central Command spokesperson in an email to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, which stated that five AQAP militants were killed by a strike in the area…

Summary

Published
8 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4 October 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr103

Location

Yakla, Al Bayda, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly killed two alleged AQAP militants, including AQAP leader Shroum al-Sanaani, in Yakla, in the Radaa area of Bayda governorate, on the evening of October 4th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. In a later email to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a US Central Command spokesperson…

Summary

Published
4 October 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

14 September 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr102-C

Location

القوز, Al Qawz junction, Abyan, Yemen
A US drone strike killed at least two alleged AQAP militants on a motorcycle at Al Qawz junction, Mudiyah district of Abyan governorate, on the night of September 14th 2017. However it was also reported that a passing vehicle was damaged, causing civilian injuries. More than three years later, in response to Airwars publishing its…

Summary

Published
14 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Motorcycle)
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11 September 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr101

Location

جاعر, In the vicinity of Ja'ar, Al Bayda, Yemen
At least one US drone strike reportedly killed at least two alleged AQAP militants in the Al-Sallabah and Ja'er area of Sama'a district, in Bayda governorate, on the afternoon of September 11th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. According to some Twitter sources including @demolinari, the strike targeted a vehicle in…

Summary

Published
11 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr099

Location

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen
In an email to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a US Central Command spokesperson stated that three strikes had been conducted against AQAP in Al Bayda governorate on September 9th 2017. Multiple sources reported that one strike took place in the village of Qareidah (USYEMTr100) on that day, while two munitions reportedly targeted a single…

Summary

Published
9 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 September 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr098-C

Location

السرو ، بالقرب من قريضة, Al Saru, in the vicinity of Quraidah, Al Bayda, Yemen
Two US drone strikes in the Al Saru area of the Sama'a district in Bayda governorate, on the afternoon of September 9th 2017, reportedly killed at least one alleged AQAP militant and as many as four civilians, according to some sources. In a later email to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a US Central Command…

Summary

Published
9 September 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Motorcycle)
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident