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
Yemen
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Strike Status
Strike Type
Infrastructure

Incident date

October 21, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM132-B

LOCATION

الحرقان عبيدة, Wadi Obeida, Ma'rib, Yemen

According to local and international media, on October 21st 2012 at around 8pm, a suspected US airstrike struck a Prado car, in the Hami and Al Damashqa area in the Obeida valley around 17km east of the city of Ma’arib, carrying three to four suspected Al Qaeda militants, killing everyone in the car. There are

Summary

First published
October 21, 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
3–4
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

May 27, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM093-B

LOCATION

الحرور, Harur, Abyan, Yemen

In a third strike on May 27th 2012 in the Abyan province, a pick-up truck was reportedly destroyed in Harur near Jaar. Six alleged Al Qaeda militants were killed whilst travelling in the car, and there were no survivors, as reported by Xinhua. Yemeni airplanes were named as the suspected culprit. However, reporting during the

Summary

First published
May 27, 2012
Last updated
September 6, 2023
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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
6
View Incident

Incident date

June 23, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr169

LOCATION

البيضاء, شبوه, حضرموت, Hadramawt, Yemen

A US strike targeted AQAP in either Shabwah, Hadramawt or Al Bayda governorate on June 23rd 2018, according to CENTCOM. There are no known public reports of a US action on June 23rd. As Yemen monitor New America first noted: “On July 3rd, CENTCOM confirmed in an email to New America that it conducted two

Summary

First published
June 23, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr033

LOCATION

الصعيد, Said, Shabwa, Yemen

Multiple sources reported that, at dawn on March 4th 2017, one or more US strikes targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Said district, Shabwa governorate.  Some reports indicated that the strikes killed or wounded AQAP members. According to several social media sources, a US drone strike targeted a car carrying suspected AQAP militants in the

Summary

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
1–3
View Incident

Incident date

April 5, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr070

LOCATION

مديرية الصومعة, Al Sawma'ah District, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US drone strike reportedly killed alleged AQAP militant Khattab al-Wuhayshi and possibly his bodyguard in Mar’taa, in the Suma’a district of Bayda governorate, overnight from April 5th to April 6th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Multiple sources, including AFP, reported that Khattab al-Wuhayshi was killed while riding a motorbike

Summary

First published
April 5, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
1–2
View Incident

Incident date

April 18, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr162

LOCATION

مديرية الصومعة, Al Suma'a, Al Bayda, Yemen

Pro-AQAP feeds reported on April 18th 2018 that Abu Nasir al-Baydani and other “brothers” [Al Qaeda fighters] were killed by a US drone strike in Sama’a, in Bayda governorate, according to Dr Elisabeth Kendall, an academic. No other known sources reported a strike, and it was unclear when the event took place. CENTCOM later informed

Summary

First published
April 18, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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

January 27, 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr220

LOCATION

بن معيلي, Bin Ma'aili Station, Ma'rib, Yemen

A US drone strike reportedly targeted a car transporting six alleged AQAP militants near Bin Ma’ali Station, in Marib governorate, on the morning of January 27th 2020. The strike came alongside a second reported US action (USYEMTr219-C) on January 27th in Al Hazmia, also in Marib. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm.

Summary

First published
January 27, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
2
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

December 14, 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr233

LOCATION

البطحة, Al Batha, Ma'rib, Yemen

At least one person, believed to be affiliated with Al Qaeda, was reported killed in an alleged US drone strike on a motorcycle in the Al Batha area, Marib governorate, on December 14th, 2020, according to local sources. Al Arabiya reported that according to a source within the local authority in Marib, “an unmanned drone,

Summary

First published
December 14, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
1–3
View Incident

Incident date

February 24, 2024

Incident Code

USYEMBi016

LOCATION

حي صوفان, Sofan, Sana'a, Yemen

Two civilians were injured by an alleged US-UK strike on the Sofan neighborhood of Sana’a on February 24, 2024. Abdullah Ahmad Obaidi Al Rabi’i posted on Facebook that “on my way back home in the Sofan neighborhood, I encountered this missile strike by the American-British aggression occurring dozens of meters away in a densely populated

Summary

First published
February 24, 2024
Last updated
March 18, 2024
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
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.
Suspected belligerents
US Forces, UK Military
Suspected target
Houthi Forces
Geolocation
Neighbourhood/area
View Incident

Incident date

March 14, 2010

Incident Code

USYEM010-B

LOCATION

مودية, Moudia, Abyan, Yemen

A night time precision strike reportedly carried out by the Yemeni air force or the US forces killed between two and nine militants in an air raid on a suspected terrorist training site in Abyan province on March 14, 2010. Al-Jazeera reported “Local residents told the Reuters news agency that as many as 20 civilians

Summary

First published
March 14, 2010
Last updated
September 6, 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 targets
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), Other
Geolocation
District
Belligerents reported killed
2–9
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

April 7, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM058-B

LOCATION

الكود, Al Kawd, Khanfir district, Abyan, Yemen

Between 16 and 24 militants were killed in a series of alleged US or Yemeni airstrikes on Al Kawd village in the governorate of Abyan on April 8th, 2012, according to local sources. There were no reports of harm to civilians. According to a tweet from @hbashrbash, 24 Al Qaeda militants were killed in naval

Summary

First published
April 8, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery, Naval bombardment
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
16–24
View Incident

Incident date

June 13, 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

First published
June 13, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
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
0–40
Belligerents reported injured
0–24
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr001

LOCATION

مديرية الصومعة, Al Suma'a, Al Bayda, Yemen

On January 25th 2017, a US spokesperson confirmed that a strike took place in al-Bayda governorate on January 20th, killing one AQAP operative.  This confirmed reports that a US drone strike in al-Suma’a district, Bayda governorate, killed at least one alleged AQAP militant on that afternoon. There were no known reports of civilian harm.  January

Summary

First published
January 20, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

March 8, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr155-C

LOCATION

على الحدود بين مديرية خب و الشعف و مديرية العبر, At the border between Khab wa Ash Sha'f the and the Al Abr district , Hadramaut, Yemen

Six civilians, including a teenage boy, were reportedly killed by a US drone strike while driving in the border region between Al-Jawf and Hadramout governorates, at around 3pm on March 8th 2018. The Yemeni Minister of Human Rights, Mohamed Askar, condemned the attack as “extrajudicial killings”. A US Central Command spokesperson later told the Long

Summary

First published
March 8, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6
(1 child5 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
Named victims
6 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

July 22, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr174-C

LOCATION

الروضة, Al Rawda, Ma'rib, Yemen

At least three alleged AQAP militants were reportedly killed, and another injured, by a US drone strike against a house in Al Rawda, Marib governorate, on the evening of July 22nd 2018. A few social media sources at the time suggested that the strike had instead killed civilians. A later US Central Command statement indicated

Summary

First published
July 22, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
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.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
3–10
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

February 28, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr010

LOCATION

مديرية الصومعة, Al Suma'a District, Al Bayda, Yemen

The Pentagon announced on March 6th 2017 that it had conducted an airstrike against AQAP in Yemen on February 28th, though no other sources could be found to verify this.  This appeared to have been the first action of a serious intensification of US strikes in Yemen through the first week of March 2017. Two

Summary

First published
February 28, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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 Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

March 14, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr046

LOCATION

مديرية العبر, Al Abr District, Hadramaut, Yemen

A reported US drone strike killed two alleged AQAP militants, including a Saudi national, while they were driving in the Al-Abr area of Hadramout governorate, on March 14th 2017. There are no known associated reports of civilian harm. According to FPA, the alleged militants were named as Abu Jandal al-Hadrami and Abu Hashim al-Sharuri by

Summary

First published
March 14, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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
2
View Incident

Incident date

May 23, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr084-C

LOCATION

النجاد العذلان, Al Nijad Al Adhlan, Ma'rib, Yemen

Up to five civilians, including a fifteen-year-old boy and man over the age of 70, were reportedly killed in a US special forces ground operation in Al Khthala village, in the Al Jubah area of Marib governorate, beginning at around 1am on May 23rd 2017, though official US accounts of the raid claimed that there

Summary

First published
May 23, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground), Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 12
(1 child4–11 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–10
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
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 Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Named victims
11 named, 1 familiy identified
Belligerents reported killed
4–9
Belligerents reported injured
2–10
View Incident

Incident date

March 25, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr192

LOCATION

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen

A confirmed US airstrike took place in Bayda governorate on March 25th 2019, one of two on that day, a US Central Command spokesperson later told New America. According to a later CENTCOM press release, all US strikes in March 2019 targeted AQAP in Bayda governorate. Multiple sources reported at the time that a drone,

Summary

First published
March 25, 2019
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
View Incident

Incident date

April 30, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr082

LOCATION

المدارة, Al Madara, Abyan, Yemen

A US drone strike reportedly targeted alleged AQAP militants near Al Madara village, in the Mudiyah district of Abyan governorate, late on April 30th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Multiple social-media sources, including @WeenAlEnfigar and @BaFana3, reported that US drones were seen flying in the area at the time, and

Summary

First published
April 30, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
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)
View Incident

Incident date

September 9, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM036-C

LOCATION

جعار, Jaar, Abyan, Yemen

A single source, @AdenHurra, reported that “a number of civilians were killed and wounded after warplanes bombed the city of Jaar”, adding that the bombing occurred in the “outskirts of the city”. It is unknown whether Yemeni forces, US forces, or another belligerent, were to be blamed for this incident. There is no other information available

Summary

First published
September 9, 2011
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
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
Yemeni Air Force, US Forces
Geolocation
Town
View Incident