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

31 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr060

Location

مديرية مودية, Al Bazqama and Riman area, Mudiyah District, Abyan, Yemen
Reported US drone strikes targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Al Bazqama and Riman area of Mudiyah, Abyan governorate at dawn on March 31st 2017.  There were no known reports of civilian casualties, though some sources claimed that a civilian farm had been destroyed. Alittihad reported that, according to a local source, three strikes took…

Summary

Published
31 March 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

USYEMTr061

Location

مودية, Mudiyah, Abyan, Yemen
US drone strikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Mudiyah district, Abyan governorate, late on March 31st 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm, nor of alleged militant casualties in the strikes. Sources including @demolinari and Yemeni journalist Saeed al-Batati (@saeedalBatati) reported that US drone strikes had targeted AQAP militants to…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30–31 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr056

Location

السودا, Al Souda, Abyan, Yemen
US drone strikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Al Muhajjab district of Al Wade'a in Abyan governorate, overnight from March 30th to March 31st. However several different villages were suggested as the location or locations of the action. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several sources, including Al Araby, reported…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr058

Location

الوضيع, Al Wade'a, Abyan, Yemen
Several sources reported that a US drone strike in Al Wade'a district, Abyan governorate, targeted the home of alleged AQAP leader Abu Ubaidah al-Damaji at around dawn on March 31st 2017. There were no known reports of civilian harm. Sources indicated that it was unclear whether al-Damaji or any others died in the strike on…

Summary

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

Incident Date

30–31 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr059

Location

سبخة, أحور, Salt marshes, Ahwar, Abyan, Yemen
At least a dozen US air and naval strikes reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants in an area of salt marshes south of Ahwar city, in the Ahwar directorate of Abyan governorate, overnight from March 30th to March 31st 2017. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several sources indicated that overnight naval and drone…

Summary

Published
30 March 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

30 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr057

Location

شرجان, Sharjan, Al Bayda, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly killed alleged AQAP leadership figure Nayef Al-Damaji and his "companions" in the Sharjan area of Al Suma'a district, Bayda governorate, on March 30th 2017, according to two local-language news outlets.  There were no known reports of civilian harm. According to both sources, Yemen Voice and Akhbarak, the strike targeted Al-Damaji…

Summary

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