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

29–30 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr053

Location

جبل المراقشه, Jabal Al Maraqisha, Abyan, Yemen
US Navy warships reportedly bombarded alleged AQAP targets in the vicinity of al-Maroun, in the al-Maraqisha area of Abyan, overnight from March 29th to March 30th. There are no known associated 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…

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

Incident Date

28–29 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr047

Location

القوز, Al Quoz, Abyan, Yemen
Multiple sources reported that a US drone strike took place in Al Quoz village, in the Mudiyah district of Abyan governorate, overnight from March 28th to March 29th, killing four alleged AQAP militants in a vehicle. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm. According to Reuters, local residents said that the strike took…

Summary

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

Incident Date

28–29 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr048

Location

وادي النسيل, Wadi Al Naseel, Abyan, Yemen
Several sources reported that three US airstrikes targeted alleged AQAP sites in Wadi al-Naseel, in the Wadea area of Abyan governorate, overnight from March 28th to March 29th. There are no known associated reports of civilian or militant harm. According to Reuters, local residents said that they had heard missile strikes on a "suspected al…

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

14 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr046

Location

مديرية العبر, Al Abr District, Hadramaut, Yemen
A reported US drone strike killed two alleged AQAP militants, including a Saudi national, while they were driving in the Al-Abr area of Hadramout governorate, on March 14th 2017. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm. According to FPA, the alleged militants were named as Abu Jandal al-Hadrami and Abu Hashim al-Sharuri by…

Summary

Published
14 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

9 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr045

Location

الوضيع, Al Wade'a, Abyan, Yemen
Multiple sources reported that an alleged US drone strike targeted a vehicle travelling in the Wadea area of Abyan governorate on the afternoon of March 9th, killing at least one alleged AQAP militant. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm. Most sources indicated that, according to local residents, the strike resulted in one…

Summary

Published
9 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

6 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr043

Location

قيفه, Qayfa, Al Bayda, Yemen
At least three alleged AQAP militants were reportedly killed in a US airstrike on March 6th in the Qayfa area of Bayda governorate. There are no known reports of associated civilian harm. On March 7th, Reuters reported local sources as saying that a US strike had killed three militants. Several local language Twitter sources also…

Summary

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