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

16 April 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr075

Location

مديرية مودية, Mudiyah District, Abyan, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in Qarn Amarim village, Mudiyah district of Abyan governorate, on the evening of April 16th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Some social media sources reported (for example @Demolinari) that a strike had taken place against militants travelling in a car in…

Summary

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

Incident Date

8 April 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr072

Location

الصومعة, Al Suma'a, Al Bayda, Yemen
One usually-reliable Twitter source, @demolinari, indicated that a US drone strike had killed two "suspected" AQAP militants in Al-Sawma'ah district, Bayda governorate, on the afternoon of April 8th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several sources - for example Yemen Live News - reported that two alleged militants were killed around…

Summary

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

Incident Date

7 April 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr071

Location

مديرية الصومعة, Al Sawma'ah District, Al Bayda, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly killed two alleged AQAP militants in Al Sawma'ah district, Bayda governorate, on the evening of April 7th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several sources - for example Yemen Live News - reported that the alleged militants were killed while travelling on a motorbike in the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 April 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr069

Location

وادي الصنيف, Wadi Al Sanif, Abyan, Yemen
US drone and naval strikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in Wadi Al Sanif, in the Al Maraqisha area of Abyan governorate, late on April 5th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several sources, including AFP, reported that a US drone strike killed a local AQAP leader, Ahmed Ali Saana, while…

Summary

Published
5 April 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Naval bombardment
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5–6 April, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr070

Location

مديرية الصومعة, Al Sawma'ah District, Al Bayda, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly killed alleged AQAP militant Khattab al-Wuhayshi and possibly his bodyguard in Mar'taa, in the Suma'a district of Bayda governorate, overnight from April 5th to April 6th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Multiple sources, including AFP, reported that Khattab al-Wuhayshi was killed while riding a motorbike…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2–3 April, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr066

Location

الأدوس, Al Adwas, Hadramaut, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants travelling in a car near Al-Adwas, Hadramout governorate, likely overnight from April 2nd to April 3rd. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several sources including YN News reported that AQAP militants were targeted, and one specified that they were targeted while in a…

Summary

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