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

30–31 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr054

Location

حناذ, Hanad, Abyan, Yemen
Some sources reported that US naval strikes targeted alleged AQAP targets in Hanad, in the Ahwar region of Abyan governorate, overnight from March 30th to March 31st.  There were no known reports of civilian or militant harm. Multiple sources indicated that fire from warships off the Abyan coast also targeted various AQAP sites in the…

Summary

Published
30 March 2017
Strike Type
Naval bombardment
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

30 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr055

Location

الطريق الواصل بين وادي النخلة والسهيل, Road connecting Wadi Nakhla to Al Suhail, Ma'rib, Yemen
A reported US drone strike targeted alleged AQAP militants travelling in a vehicle on the road connecting Wadi Nakhla to Al Suhail, in the Sirwah district of Marib governorate, early on March 30th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. While most sources indicated that the strike was launched by a US…

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

29–30 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr049

Location

الحوطة, Al Hawta, Shabwa, Yemen
According to Al-Jazeera, its sources reported that US drone strikes targeted alleged AQAP sites in Al Hawta, in Shabwa governorate, at some time from March 29th to March 30th. The news organisation reported that casualties from the strikes were unknown. No other known sources independently reported these strikes. This reported event took place amid a…

Summary

Published
28 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

29 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr050

Location

الطريق بين الروضة و المجازة, Road between Al Rawda and Al Majaza, Shabwa, Yemen
A reported US airstrike in Rawdah, Shabwa governorate, on the evening of March 29th 2017 killed at least one alleged AQAP militant. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm. According to a majority of sources, the strike took place in the centre of Rawdah, near the village of Majazah, targeting a motorbike. Al…

Summary

Published
29 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

29–30 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr051

Location

القوز, Al Quoz, Abyan, Yemen
Alleged AQAP sites in Al Quoz village, in the Mudiyah district of Abyan governorate, were targeted by reported US naval and air strikes overnight from March 29th to March 30th 2017.  There were no known reports of civilian harm. Several sources indicated that US warships fired missiles at parts of the village during the night,…

Summary

Published
29 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

29–30 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr052

Location

موجان, Mojan, Abyan, Yemen
US Navy warships reportedly bombarded alleged AQAP targets in the vicinity of Mojan, al-Maraqisha area of Abyan, overnight from March 29th to March 30th. There were no known reports of civilian casualties. Multiple sources indicated that continuous fire from warships off the Abyan coast targeted various AQAP sites in the mountainous al-Maraqisha area, including Mojan…

Summary

Published
29 March 2017
Strike Type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Naval bombardment
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident