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

19 March 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250319a

Location

مدينة الثورة في صنعاء, Al-Thawra neighbourhood, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
At least nine civilians, seven women and two children, were injured by two alleged US airstrikes on a wedding reception hall in the Al-Thawra District of Sana'a, Yemen at around 7:30 PM on March 19, 2025. Houthi-affiliated news @TvAlmasirah reported on the "US aggression's bombing of a residential neighborhood in Al-Thawra District in the capital,…

Summary

Published
24 March 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential, Commerce, Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported injured
9
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

16 March 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250316a

Location

مديرية الصقايق, Al-Sahqeen district, Sadaa, Yemen
One civilian was killed and at least one other was injured by alleged US airstrikes on a home in the Al-Sha'af area of Al-Sahqeen district of Sadaa, Yemen, on March 16, 2025. The home reportedly belonged to Abdul Rab Jarfan, a member of the Houthi Movement's intelligence wing, who was also reportedly killed. The US…

Summary

Published
18 March 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
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

16 March 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250316b

Location

حي عطان في صنعاء, Attan neighborhood, Sana'a, Sana'a, Yemen
At least five civilians, including women and children, were reported injured by alleged US airstrikes on the Attan neighborhood of Sana’a, Yemen on March 16, 2025. The US military released a statement that "On March 15, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) initiated an operation consisting of precision strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets across Yemen in order…

Summary

Published
18 March 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential (Apartment Building), Commerce, Healthcare (Hospital)
Civilians reported injured
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15 March 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250315a

Location

حي الجراف في مديرية الشعوب، صنعاء, Al-Jaraf neighborhood, Al-Shu’ub district, Sana'a, Sana'a, Yemen
At least nine civilians were reported killed and up to 18 others were injured by alleged US airstrikes on a home in Bir Zaid neighborhood of Al-Jiraf area, Shu’ub District, Sana'a, Yemen on March 15, 2025. At least two women and two children were among those injured. Most sources referred to strikes on the Al-Jaraf…

Summary

Published
18 March 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
9–18
Civilians reported injured
2–18
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

15–16 March, 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250315b

Location

منطقة قحزة، صعدة, Qahza area, Sadaa, Sadaa, Yemen
At least ten civilians, including a woman and nine children, were reported killed and at least 10 others, including women and five children, were injured by alleged US airstrikes on the home of the al-Ruqa'a [Roga'ah] family in the Qahza area of Saada, Yemen during the night on March 15/16, 2025. The US military released…

Summary

Published
15 March 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
10–28
Civilians reported injured
10–13
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

21 December 2024

Incident Code

USYEMBi030

Location

حي حدة في محافظة صناء, Hadda neighbourhood, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
In the late evening of December 21st, 2024, alleged American airstrikes struck a residential neighborhood in the Hadda neighborhood in Sana'a, Yemen. At least two civilians were reportedly killed, and at least four militants of the Houthi Movement were also killed. A residential home, belonging to Youssef al-Madani, a Houthi member who was among those…

Summary

Published
24 March 2025
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
2–10
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident