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

3 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr029

Location

مَأْرِب, Ma'rib, Ma'rib, Yemen
Multiple sources reported that a US drone strike on the evening of March 3rd 2017 targeted Sheikh Abdulilah al-Dhahab and four of his guards, all of whom were alleged to be AQAP militants, while they were travelling in Marib governorate. Some sources suggested that the strike took place on the outskirts of Marib, the capital…

Summary

Published
3 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

3 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr030

Location

Yemen
On March 6th, the US Department of Defense announced that alleged AQAP militant, Harith al Waqri, had been killed on March 3rd by a US airstrike. According to Pentagon spokesman US Navy Captain Jeff Davis, al Waqri was a fighter and "communications intermediary" for Usayd al Adani, who was also announced to have been killed…

Summary

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

Incident Date

3 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr031

Location

موجان, Mojan, Abyan, Yemen
Multiple sources reported that a US drone strike targeted two alleged AQAP militants riding a motorbike in Mojan, in the al-Maraqisha area of Abyan governorate, late on March 3rd 2017. There were no known reports of civilian harm. Several local language social media sources reported the strike, as well as "local sources" allegedly spoken with…

Summary

Published
3 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr028

Location

موجان, Mojan, Abyan, Yemen
Some sources suggested that US naval artillery and possibly airstrikes targeted the Mojan and Mudiyah areas of Abyan governorate early on the morning of March 3rd.  There were no known reports of civilian harm. According to Xinhua, an anonymous Yemeni military official reported that a "heavy navy bombardment" had taken place in the morning, alongside…

Summary

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

Incident Date

2 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr018

Location

الغيل‎, Al Ghayil, Al Bayda, Yemen
Multiple sources reported that a US drone strike targeted the home of alleged AQAP leader and tribal sheikh Abdul Ilah al-Dhahab in Yakla, in the al-Qaifa area of Bayda governorate, at dawn on March 2nd 2017. There were no known reported casualties. Multiple sources suggested that al-Dhahab survived this strike, having been fighting with the…

Summary

Published
2 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

2–3 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr023

Location

ذي كالب, Dhi Kalb, Al Bayda, Yemen
Some local language sources reported that the area of Dhi Kalb, in the al-Qaifa region of Bayda province, was targeted by multiple US air strikes overnight from March 2nd to March 3rd 2017.  here were no reports of civilian harm. Social media sources suggested that US drones and combat aircraft conducted several strikes against "homes"…

Summary

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