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

10 August 2012

Incident Code

USYEM120-B

Location

جعار, Jaar, Abyan, Yemen
An alleged US drone attack killed 3 Al Qaeda militants and injured “many” who were gathering in a farm on the outskirts of Jaar in Abyan Province on the 10th of August 2012 in the evening. There are no current reports of civilian harm. The farm which is where the militants were supposedly meeting was…

Summary

Published
10 August 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Agriculture
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

8 August 2012

Incident Code

USYEM119-C

Location

القطن, Al Qotn, Hadramaut, Yemen
On the 8th of August 2012, multiple drone or air strikes, allegedly by either Yemeni or US authorities, killed one person just before dawn in Al Qotn in the Hahdramaut Province. It remains unclear whether the person killed was a civilian or not. @YRMC_S and @AdenOnline reported one person killed while @BaFana3 reported that a…

Summary

Published
8 August 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
0–1
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

7 August 2012

Incident Code

USYEM118-B

Location

قطن, Qatn, Hadramaut, Yemen
On August 7th 2012, up to four Al Qaeda militants were killed and two others injured in a suspected US airstrike in Al Qotn, Hadhramaut province. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. A security official said that “a small pick-up truck was completely destroyed at the scene”, Xinhua reported. A picture posted…

Summary

Published
7 August 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

6 August 2012

Incident Code

USYEM117-B

Location

القيفة, Qayfa, Dhamar, Yemen
On the night of August 6th 2012, between six to ten Al Qaeda militants were killed in a suspected US drone strike or Yemeni airstrike in Qayfah, Dhamar province. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. The official state news agency SABA reported that among the dead was local Al Qaeda leader and…

Summary

Published
6 August 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4 August 2012

Incident Code

USYEM115-C

Location

عدن, Aden, Aden, Yemen
A single source, Press TV, reported that a US drone killed five "people" traveling in a vehicle in Aden on August 4, 2012. However, the same source referred to the strike as occurring in "eastern Yemen" while Aden is located in western Yemen. Another strike did occur in eastern Yemen on the same date (USYEM116-B),…

Summary

Published
4 August 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle
Civilians reported killed
0–5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4 August 2012

Incident Code

USYEM116-B

Location

قطن, Qatn, Hadramaut, Yemen
On 4th August 2012, in the late evening, between three to five militants were killed in an alleged U.S. drone strike on a vehicle travelling on the Ghisas road, north of the village of Al-Qatan in Hadramout province. Local news sources such as Mareb Press and Saba News also reported that up to two additional…

Summary

Published
4 August 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident