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

6 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr044

Location

وادي يشبم, Wadi Yashbum, Shabwa, Yemen
Several sources reported that a US drone strike killed at least one alleged AQAP militant travelling in a car in Wadi Yashbum, Shabwa governorate, at 4pm on March 6th 2017. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm. Casualty assessments varied.  According to Yemenat, the strike "resulted in the burning of the car" and…

Summary

Published
6 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

USYEMTr042

Location

الصعيد, Said, Shabwa, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly targeted an alleged AQAP training camp in a mountainous area of Saeed in Shabwa governorate, local residents told Reuters. Early on March 6th 2017, Elwatan News also indicated that, according to an Anatolia Agency report, a strike against a training camp in Saeed had taken place on that day.  The…

Summary

Published
6 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

USYEMTr041

Location

قيفه, Qifah, Al Bayda, Yemen
A single source, Al-Masdar Online, alleged that a US airstrike killed Yasser Ali Abdullah al-Silmi, also known as Abu al Muhajir al Ebbi, in Qayfa, Bayda governorate, at dawn on March 6th 2017. A US Pentagon spokesperson, however, announced on March 6th that a US airstrike killed AQAP members Usayd al-Adani and Yasir al-Silmi in…

Summary

Published
6 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

5–6 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr039

Location

وادي النسيل, Wadi Al Naseel, Abyan, Yemen
Several sources reported that a US drone strike targeted an alleged AQAP camp in Wadi al-Naseel, Wadea district of Abyan governorate, late on March 5th 2017, or possibly very early on march 6th. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. According to AFP, an "early dawn" US strike allegedly took place in the…

Summary

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

Incident Date

5 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr040-C

Location

جبل نوفان, Jabal Novan, Al Bayda, Yemen
Multiple sources reported that US drone strikes targeted alleged AQAP militant positions in Novan, in the Qaifa area of Bayda governorate, on the evening of March 5th. There was one known report of possible civilian injury due to the strike. Local language Twitter sources reported that airstrikes targeted AQAP militants in the Novan mountains. The…

Summary

Published
5 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5–6 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr038-C

Location

يكلا, Yakla, Al Bayda, Yemen
Several sources reported that brothers Ahmad Abdullah Muhammad Al-Sanbahi Al-Khubezi, aged twelve, and Muhammad Abdullah Muhammad Al-Sanbahi Al-Khubezi, aged ten, were killed by a US strike in Yakla, in the Qifah area of Bayda governorate, overnight from March 5th to March 6th. According to Hunaradaa, local residents said that an older brother, Omar, survived the…

Summary

Published
5 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Transportation (Road), Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported killed
2–7
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident