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

2–3 April, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr067

Location

موجان, Mojan, Abyan, Yemen
US airstrikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP camps in the Mogan area of Al Maraqisha, Abyan governorate, overnight from April 2nd to April 3rd 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm, or of belligerent casualties. According to Aden al-Ghad, a warplane launched several missiles at various locations in the area. Some sources such…

Summary

Published
2 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 April 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr068

Location

الحاق, Al Haq, Abyan, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly targeted the house of an alleged AQAP leader in Al Haq, in the Al-Mahfad district of Abyan governorate, at 11pm on April 2nd 2017.  There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. According to Aden al-Ghad, local sources reported that the strike destroyed the house of AQAP leader Mohammed…

Summary

Published
2 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

1 April 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr063

Location

سبخة, أحور, Salt marshes within Qaroub area of Ahwar, Abyan, Yemen
Reported airstrikes, which some local sources said were US drone strikes, targeted alleged AQAP militants on a farm in the Al Sabkha area, east of Ahwar city, early on April 1st 2017. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm, though one report suggested that a civilian farm was destroyed. Several sources reported that…

Summary

Published
1 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

1 April 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr064

Location

أحور, West of Ahwar, Abyan, Yemen
A reported airstrike targeted alleged AQAP militants to the west of Ahwar town, Abyan governorate, on April 1st 2017.  There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Some sources reported that the strike came alongside an additional two actions on a farm to the east of Ahwar (USYEMTr063), indicating that the strike took place…

Summary

Published
1 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

1–2 April, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr065

Location

الشبيك, Al Shubayka, Shabwa, Yemen
US drone strikes reportedly targeted a large gathering of alleged AQAP militants near Al Shubayka, north of Ataq in Shabwa governorate, at around midnight from April 1st to April 2nd 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several sources reported that the strikes targeted a meeting of AQAP leaders in Al-Shubayka village,…

Summary

Published
1 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

31 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr062

Location

الوضيع, Al Wade'a, Abyan, Yemen
One source, @adammbaron, suggested that US airstrikes targeted alleged AQAP militants in Wade'a district, Abyan governorate, late on March 31st. Other sources reported that a US drone strike took place in Modia district, which is accounted for in USYEMTr061 - though no other known sources reported strikes in Al Wade'a. There were no known associated…

Summary

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