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

442 – 640

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
422
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
548 – 824
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S. Forces actions in Yemen.
152 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
442 – 640
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S. Forces
96 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
39 – 52
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
30 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
67 – 132
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
26 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

20 January 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr001

Location

مديرية الصومعة, Al Suma'a, Al Bayda, Yemen
On January 25th 2017, a US spokesperson confirmed that a strike took place in al-Bayda governorate on January 20th, killing one AQAP operative.  This confirmed reports that a US drone strike in al-Suma'a district, Bayda governorate, killed at least one alleged AQAP militant on that afternoon. There were no known reports of civilian harm.  January…

Summary

Published
20 January 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 August 2016

Incident Code

USYEM269

Location

مديرية الوضيع، أبين‎, Al-Wadiah District, Abyan, Yemen
At least three children were killed and their parents were injured by alleged US airstrikes on a family home in the village of Al-Shemil in the district of Al-Wadiah, Yemen on August 2, 2016. Spanish news agency EFE reported that "at least three children died and their parents were wounded in an air strike on…

Summary

Published
2 August 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
3–5
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

10 July 2016

Incident Code

USYEM267

Location

Al-Jaboul, Ma'rib, Yemen
An alleged US drone strike hit a car in the Al-Jaboul area, east of the city of Ma'rib, Yemen on July 10, 2016 and reportedly injured up to five people, whose status as civilians/militants is contested among the sources, and killed four civilians, including children. Saba News reported that the victims were citizens, alleging that…

Summary

Published
10 July 2016
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Residential, Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported killed
4
Civilians reported injured
0–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

5 October 2015

Incident Code

USYEM239d

Location

Yemen, Yemen
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported that during the funeral for two people killed two days earlier (documented in USYEM239c), another drone strike killed two others on October 5, 2016. OHCHR attributed the drone strike to the US Air Force, in cooperation with the Government of Yemen. A…

Summary

Published
20 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

3 October 2015

Incident Code

USYEM239c

Location

مَأْرِب, Ma'rib, Yemen
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported that according to "reports received", two internally displaced persons from Jawf were killed by a drone attack in eastern Ma'rib on October 3, 2015. OHCHR attributed the drone strike to the US Air Force, in cooperation with the Government of Yemen. There…

Summary

Published
20 May 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

26 January 2015

Incident Code

USYEM207

Location

حريب، شبوة‎, Harib district, Shabwa, Yemen
At least one civilian, a child, was killed by alleged US drone strikes on a vehicle traveling in the Harib district of Shabwa governorate of Yemen on January 26, 2015. Sources said the victims died when a drone struck the vehicle they were travelling in central-southern Yemen. The combatant status of one of the victims…

Summary

Published
26 January 2015
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident