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

8 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250408b

Location

ذَمَار, Dhamar, Dhamar, Yemen
A farm worker was killed and three other farm workers were injured by alleged US airstrikes on a farm west of Dhamar City during the evening of April 8, 2025. Marib Press reported that the US carried out three airstrikes west of Dhamar City, which according to the Houthis hit a farm, wounding three people.…

Summary

Published
24 April 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Agriculture (Agricultural Land)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250406a

Location

منطقة شعب الحافة، مديرية شعوب، صنعاء, Shaab Al-Hafa area, Shu'ub district, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
At least three civilians, including at least one child and one woman, were killed and between 16 to 25 other civilians, including 11 women and children, were injured by alleged US airstrikes on the Shaab Al-Hafa neighborhood in the Shu'ub district of Sanaa, Yemen on April 6, 2025. A tweet from @Jih_8 reported that a…

Summary

Published
2 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
3–4
Civilians reported injured
16–25
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250405a

Location

حفصين, Hafsin, Sadaa, Yemen
At least one civilian was killed and four others were wounded by alleged US airstrikes which struck a solar energy store in the Hafsin area, west of Saada city, Yemen on April 5, 2025. According to @TvAlmasirah, a "citizen" was killed and four others were injured when a US attack in the Hafsin area hit…

Summary

Published
23 April 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Commerce (Shop)
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250403a

Location

شبكة اتصالات في جبل نامة, Telecommunication network, Jabal Namah, Ibb, Yemen
A man working as a guard of a communications tower on Jabal Namah in Ibb, Yemen was killed by alleged US airstrikes on April 3, 2025. According to @TvAlmasirah's correspondent in Ibb, an American attack on Jabal (Mount) Namah killed a communications network guard. Abduldaiem Al-Hadrami reported that the strike hit a "civilian facility used…

Summary

Published
23 April 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Religious (Mosque), Residential, Communications (Mobile)
Civilians reported killed
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250401a

Location

حي المنصورية, Al-Mansouriyah District, Al-Hudaydah, Yemen
Four men were killed and a number of others were injured by alleged US airstrikes on the Water Authority building in Al-Mansouriyah District, Al Hudaydah, Yemen on April 1, 2025. Initial reports from @TvAlmasirah stated that "martyrs and wounded" had resulted from the US "targeting" of the Water Authority building in Al-Mansouriyah. A post from…

Summary

Published
23 April 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Water
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 March 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250330a

Location

قرية القابل منطقة جدر بمديرية بني الحارث, Al-Qabil, Jadr area, Bani Al-Harith district, Sanaa, Yemen
At least one person was reported killed and five wounded after alleged US airstrikes on the village of Al-Qabil in the Jadr area of Bani al-Harith, Sanaa, Yemen on 30 March 2025. Though most sources - including the Ministry of Health spokesperson - stated one person had been killed, Facebook user Alyaa Badel reported plural…

Summary

Published
30 March 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident