US Forces in Yemen

Mabkhout Ali al Ameri with his 18-month old son Mohammed, shortly after a botched US raid on al Ghayil in January 2017 had killed at least 20 villagers, including Mohammed's mother Fatim Saleh Mohsen. © Iona Craig

Belligerent
US Forces
Country
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident date

July 28, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM114-N

LOCATION

المحفد, Mahfad, Abyan, Yemen

On July 28th 2012 alleged Yemeni or US fighter jets bombed two suspected Al Qaeda hideouts in the Mahfad district of the Abyan Province with an unknown number of casualties as reported by Xinhua news who got their information from a local security official and a local resident. The security official quoted by Xinhua news

Summary

First published
July 28, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

February 12, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr146-C

LOCATION

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US strike took place in Bayda governorate against an unspecified target on February 12th 2018, a US Central Command spokesperson later told the Long War Journal. One source at the time of the attack, Yemen Monitor, claimed: “American drones launched more than once raids targeting sites of the Popular Resistance in Al Bayda Governorate,

Summary

First published
February 12, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known targets
ISIS - Yemen, Other
Belligerents reported killed
7
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

July 19, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM237b-C

LOCATION

Shanta Baraako, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Two civilian were reported killed by US ground troops near Shanta Baraako in an apparent distortion of an In These Times investigation. AFRICOM later discounted the allegation. The In These Times report alleged that Waliyo Cali Qaasim and Abdikadir Ali were killed by Danab special forces in a counter-terrorism operation. In a post in the

Summary

First published
July 12, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 woman1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Somali Military Forces
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

July 5, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM021-C

LOCATION

جعار, Jaar, Abyan, Yemen

Between two and six civilians were killed and up to seven others were injured in alleged Yemeni or US airstrikes on Ja’ar on July 5, 2011. Four militants were also reportedly killed. The numbers of dead and wounded varied, as @NoonArabia tweeted that three civilians were killed and seven people were wounded. According to @AdenLang,

Summary

First published
July 5, 2011
Last updated
September 5, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 6
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
4–7
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Geolocation
Town
Belligerents reported killed
4
View Incident

Incident date

February 21, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM377

LOCATION

Galmudug, Mudug, Somalia

At least seven alleged al-Shabaab militants were killed by declared US airstrikes near Galmudug, Somalia on February 21, 2023. AFRICOM released a statement on February 22nd that “At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia and in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike on

Summary

First published
February 21, 2023
Last updated
May 23, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Geolocation
Province/governorate
Belligerents reported killed
7
View Incident

Incident date

September 10, 2023

Incident Code

USSOM404

LOCATION

Forward Operating Base in Awdhegle district, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

Scores of militants were killed by alleged US drone strikes near Forward Operation Base in #Awdhegle district on September 10, 2023. A tweet from @HornSentinel reported that US drones carried out two strikes against al-Shabaab fighter who had stormed the Somali National Army (SNA) Forward Operation Base in #Awdhegle district, resulting in the death of

Summary

First published
September 10, 2023
Last updated
October 11, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Belligerents reported killed
0–7
View Incident

Incident date

July 27, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM024-B

LOCATION

مديرية زنجبار, Karadeef, Zinjibar, Abyan, Yemen

An alleged US airstrike that took place on Karadeef in West Zinjibar was reported to have killed five militants and injured two others, with no civilian harm reported, on July 27th 2011. Xinhua news quoted a local official who said that five AQAP militants, including a field commander, were killed by a US drone strike

Summary

First published
July 27, 2011
Last updated
August 28, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
5
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

April 23, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM066-B

LOCATION

نصاب, Nisab (town or district), Shabwa, Yemen

On 23rd April 2012, a suspected US drone strike at 4:10pm hit vehicles in Shabwa province allegedly leaving up to three militants dead and up to three others injured, according to local sources. The vehicles were reportedly traveling from Nisab to Al-Salida Abadan. Yaspr and Almotamar identified two of the dead as Hussein al-Ahwal Lahoul

Summary

First published
April 23, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
2–3
Belligerents reported injured
2–3
View Incident

Incident date

July 4, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM112-B

LOCATION

المحفد, al-Mahfad, Abyan, Yemen

Alleged Yemeni or US airstrikes on July 4th 2012 in al-Mahfad, Abyan province reportedly killed between three and 13 Al Qaeda militants and injured up to seven militants. There are currently no known reports of civilian harm. Yemen Post, Naharnet, and Mareb Press reported that the raid was carried out against the position of Al

Summary

First published
July 4, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, Yemeni Air Force
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
3–13
Belligerents reported injured
7
View Incident

Incident date

November 26, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr122-C

LOCATION

قيفه, Qifah, Al Bayda, Yemen

Three ISIS militants were killed by a US strike in Al Bayda governorate on November 26th 2017, a US Central Command spokesperson told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. This confirmed earlier reports that a US drone strike had taken place in Qayfa in Al Bayda governorate on that night. However several local sources and news

Summary

First published
November 26, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(5 children)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known targets
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), ISIS - Yemen
Belligerents reported killed
3
View Incident

Incident date

November 10, 2017

Incident Code

USSOM099-C

LOCATION

2km north of Baasra, Lower Shabelle, Somalia

US forces carried out a strike against al Shabaab at approximately 8pm local Somalia time killing “several” fighters, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said. It was also alleged by local officials that three civilians had died. The strike hit the Lower Shabelle region. A Somali military official told Voice of America the strike, which they said

Summary

First published
November 10, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Belligerents reported killed
10–13
View Incident

Incident date

January 27, 2020

Incident Code

USSOM272-C

LOCATION

Homboy, Middle Juba, Somalia

US Africa Command declared on the same day that it had conducted an airstrike on al Shabaab in the vicinity of Jilib, which it said had killed one militant. It was later claimed that a 20-year old farmer named Mohamed Moalim was killed in the strike, with the location given as Hoombooy – although in

Summary

First published
January 27, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(1 man)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

February 1, 2019

Incident Code

USSOM186a-C

LOCATION

IVO Janay Abdalle, Lower Juba, Somalia

An unspecified number was allegedly killed by a US strike on Janay Abdalle, which AFRICOM later discounted. In first quarterly civilian casualty assessment it says: “February 3, 2019, AFRICOM received one allegation from an online media source claiming an unspecified number of civilians were killed from an airstrike in the vicinity of Janay Abdalle, Somalia,

Summary

First published
February 1, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 3
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
View Incident

Incident date

October 1, 2022

Incident Code

USSOM353-C

LOCATION

near Haramka, Middle Juba, Somalia

One high ranking al-Shabaab leader was killed by declared US and Somali airstrikes near Haramka in Middle Juba on October 1, 2022. Local sources also reported that another man named Ibrahim Hassan Dahir was also killed but are conflicted as to his status as a militant or civilian. According to AFP, a top al-Shabaab leader

Summary

First published
October 1, 2022
Last updated
April 30, 2024
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 1
(0–1 men)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Geolocation
Town
Belligerents reported killed
1–2
View Incident

Incident date

June 22, 2023

Incident Code

USYEMBi012

LOCATION

الكور, Al-Kour, Shabwa, Yemen

Three Al Qaeda members were killed by alleged US drone strikes on the Al-Kour area in Shabwa on June 22, 2023. 26sep News reported that American strikes on the Al-Kour area in Shabwa resulted in the death of three Al Qaeda members. There are no additional details about those who were killed available. All of

Summary

First published
June 22, 2023
Last updated
July 11, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
3
View Incident

Incident date

February 2, 2024

Incident Code

USYEMBi014

LOCATION

مزارع الجار, ِAl Jar farms, Hajjah, Yemen

A farm worker was injured by alleged US-UK airstrikes on a farm in the “Al-Jar Farms” area in Abs District on February 2, 2024. According to Jameel Ahmad, American-British fighter jets launched four airstrikes against former President “Ali Saleh’s farm in the “Al-Jar Farms” area in Abs District,” which was a farm that the Houthis

Summary

First published
February 2, 2024
Last updated
March 18, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian infrastructure
Agriculture
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Impact
Food
Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, UK Military, UK Military
Suspected target
Houthi Forces
Geolocation
Neighbourhood/area
View Incident