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 June 2012

Incident Code

USYEM109-B

Location

المحفد, Mahfed, Abyan, Yemen
On the 20th of June 2012, up to 30 militants were reported killed and six others injured in a series of Yemeni or US-waged airstrikes in Mahfed, Abyan, which was later reported by international and local media. AP reported that Yemeni military officials said that "at least six air raids targeted moving vehicles and Al…

Summary

Published
20 June 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

19 June 2012

Incident Code

USYEM107-B

Location

يافع, Yafa'a district, Lahij, Yemen
Three militants were killed when a vehicle was destroyed in Yafa’a district south of Bayda province by alleged Yemeni or US airstrikes on June 19, 2012, local and international media reported. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. According to reporting from Reuters, Yemeni state news (Saba) reported that on June 19th, Yemeni…

Summary

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

Incident Date

17 June 2012

Incident Code

USYEM106-B

Location

عزان, Azzan, Shabwa, Yemen
On June 17th 2012, an alleged airstrike or shelling by the US military or Yemen Air Force caused the death of up to nine civilians in the town of Azzan, Shabwa province. There are currently no known reports of injured. The US news channel Fox News claimed that six Al Qaeda militants were killed in…

Summary

Published
17 July 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike, Artillery
Civilians reported killed
0–9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15 June 2012

Incident Code

USYEM105-C

Location

شقرة, Shaqra, Abyan, Yemen
On June 15th 2012, up to seven civilians, including a woman and up to six children, were killed by an alleged US military, CIA drone, or Yemen Air Force strike in the village of Shaqra, Ayban province. Four civilians were injured and no militants were killed according to witnesses. The village of Shaqra, near Jaar,…

Summary

Published
15 June 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Residential (House)
Civilians reported killed
5–7
Civilians reported injured
4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

14 June 2012

Incident Code

USYEM103-N

Location

عزان, Azzan, Shabwa, Yemen
The Yemen Times reported a US drone strike hit Azzan in Shabwa province, described as AQAP’s "last stronghold" in the province, on June 14, 2012. The reporter Ali Saeed subsequently told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism via email that the strike came on Thursday evening. Casualty figures were unknown he added, because "the army has…

Summary

Published
14 June 2012
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

13 June 2012

Incident Code

USYEM102-B

Location

عزان, Azzan, Shabwa, Yemen
Between 27 and 40 militants were reported to have been killed and "dozens" others were injured in a series of alleged U.S. drone strikes or Yemeni airstrikes in and around the town of Azzan in Shabwa governorate on the morning of the 13th of June, 2012. However, a a spokesperson for Ansar al-Sharia alleged that…

Summary

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