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

Search

444 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

9 June 2013

Incident Code

USYEM159-C

Location

خب و الشعف، الجوف‎, Khabb wa ash Sha’af District, Al-Jawf, Yemen
Between two and seven people, including one child and multiple Al Qaeda militants, were killed and another child was injured in an alleged US drone strike that launched four to five missiles hitting a vehicle in Al Mahashma or Khabb wa ash Sha’af in Al-Jawf Province around noon on June 9th, 2013. The lowest death…

Summary

Published
9 June 2013
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car), Agriculture
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

20 May 2013

Incident Code

USYEM155-C

Location

رداع, Rada'a, Al Bayda, Yemen
On May 20th 2013, two young men were killed on a motorcycle in an alleged US drone strike in Rada’a, Bayda’ province. Sources are conflicted as to whether the two men killed were members of Al Qaeda or civilians. Nashwan News reported that the two men were killed at dawn after leaving a farm in…

Summary

Published
20 May 2013
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Motorcycle)
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

17–18 May, 2013

Incident Code

USYEM153-C

Location

المحفد، أبين‎, Al-Mahfad District, Abyan Governorate, Yemen
On May 18th, 2013 a drone reportedly launched three airstrikes in Abyan province overnight. The second of the three strikes hit the Al-Hada area in Al-Mahfad district and six people were reported injured without specifying if those injured were militants or civilians. A CNN report, also published by Mareb Press, was the only source found…

Summary

Published
18 May 2013
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported injured
0–6
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 April 2013

Incident Code

USYEM151-C

Location

وادي عبيدة، مَأْرِب, Wadi Abida area, Ma'rib, Yemen
An alleged US drone strike on a house in the Wadi Abida area of Ma'rib province reportedly killed two Al Qaeda militants, from Saudi Arabia and/or Egypt, and wounded up to three others, at dawn on April 21, 2013. One source reported that a woman and child were injured. An unnamed security official told AFP…

Summary

Published
21 April 2013
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car), Residential
Civilians reported injured
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

17 April 2013

Incident Code

USYEM150-C

Location

وصاب العالي, Wessab al Ali District, Dhamar, Yemen
Up to four civilians were killed in an alleged U.S drone strike in Wessab al Ali on the 17th of April 2013. However there is some discrepancy in earlier reports which alleged all killed were militants. A suspected Al Qaeda leader Hamid al Radami (aka Hammed al Masea Meftah, Hamed Radman, Hamid Radman al Manea,…

Summary

Published
17 April 2013
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Residential, Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported killed
0–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

23 January 2013

Incident Code

USYEM148-C

Location

خولان, Khawlan, Sanaa, Yemen
On January 23, 2013, at least two civilians were killed by alleged U.S. drone attacks in central Sanaa province. Between two and five militants were also killed in the strike. In the immediate aftermath Yemeni media named five of the dead as: Salem Mohsen Jamel, Ali Mohammed Jamel, Mohsem Mohsen Jamel and Al Nashiri. Rabee…

Summary

Published
23 January 2013
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported killed
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident