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

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

Incident date

August 31, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM030-B

LOCATION

أبين, Abyan, Yemen

US airstrikes killed up to 33 militants, with no civilian harm reported in Abyan province between August 31 2011 to September 1 2011. Multiple sources claimed the militants killed in the alleged airstrike were Al Qaeda militants. Some sources reported the alleged strike was carried out by Yemeni air force warplanes, however others claim it

Summary

First published
August 31, 2011
Last updated
August 28, 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)
Geolocation
Province/governorate
Belligerents reported killed
20–33
View Incident

Incident date

April 30, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM070-B

LOCATION

لودر, Mountains southeast of Lawdar town, Abyan, Yemen

Four Al Qaeda militants were killed by alleged Yemeni or US airstrikes in the southeast of the town of Loder located in the south of Yemen on the 30th of April 2012. No civilian harm was reported. Reuters reported that the airstrike hit a vehicle which killed four militants inside. Witnesses reported a series of

Summary

First published
April 30, 2012
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 target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
4
View Incident

Incident date

August 7, 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

First published
August 7, 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
2–4
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

October 19, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr107

LOCATION

بين شرجان و ذي حورة, Between Sharjan and Dhi Hawra, Al Bayda, Yemen

On December 20th 2017, US Central Command stated that a strike had killed Obeidah Al-Lawdari, AQAP’s so-called Emir of Lawda”, and four “associates” in Bayda governorate on October 19th 2017. This announcement confirmed several earlier reports that a US drone strike had killed at least three alleged AQAP militants travelling in a car on or

Summary

First published
October 19, 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
5–6
View Incident

Incident date

September 18, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr180-C

LOCATION

العشار, Al Ashar, Al Bayda, Yemen

Two Yemeni National Army soldiers, including a Colonel, were reportedly killed by a US drone strike in Al Ashar, Yakla area of Bayda governorate, on the evening of September 18th 2018, according to multiple sources. Some however instead variously indicated that the strike killed two AQAP members, or two civilians. In a later press release,

Summary

First published
September 18, 2018
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1–2 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 Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

January 20, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr139

LOCATION

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US airstrike targeted AQAP in Bayda governorate on January 20th 2018, a US Central Command spokesperson later told the Long War Journal. A review by our Arabic-language researchers found no other local sources reporting a strike on that day, and there were no known reports of civilian harm.

Summary

First published
January 20, 2018
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 2, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr023

LOCATION

ذي كالب, Dhi Kalb, Al Bayda, Yemen

Some local language sources reported that the area of Dhi Kalb, in the al-Qaifa region of Bayda province, was targeted by multiple US air strikes overnight from March 2nd to March 3rd 2017.  here were no reports of civilian harm. Social media sources suggested that US drones and combat aircraft conducted several strikes against “homes”

Summary

First published
March 2, 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

March 30, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr058

LOCATION

الوضيع, Al Wade'a, Abyan, Yemen

Several sources reported that a US drone strike in Al Wade’a district, Abyan governorate, targeted the home of alleged AQAP leader Abu Ubaidah al-Damaji at around dawn on March 31st 2017. There were no known reports of civilian harm. Sources indicated that it was unclear whether al-Damaji or any others died in the strike on

Summary

First published
March 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

November 4, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr112

LOCATION

صرواح, Sirwah, Ma'rib, Yemen

Some local language sources, including @MasirahTV, suggested that a US drone strike took place in the Sirwah district of Marib governorate on the morning of November 4th. All sources posted on November 4th 2017 itself. There were no known associated reports of civilian or militant harm, and no further information was given. Given that all

Summary

First published
November 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
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

August 31, 2019

Incident Code

USYEMTr209

LOCATION

عرقوب, Arqoub, Abyan, Yemen

A few local language social-media sources suggested that US strikes, reportedly including a naval bombardment and at least one air strike, had targeted “terrorist groups”, possibly AQAP, in Arqoub in Abyan governorate, on August 31st 2019, killing “dozens”. Some suggested that the “terrorists” were amongst or affiliated with pro-government forces. There were no known associated

Summary

First published
August 31, 2019
Last updated
August 7, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Naval bombardment
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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, United Arab Emirates Military
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Belligerents reported killed
24
View Incident

Incident date

April 8, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr072

LOCATION

الصومعة, Al Suma'a, Al Bayda, Yemen

One usually-reliable Twitter source, @demolinari, indicated that a US drone strike had killed two “suspected” AQAP militants in Al-Sawma’ah district, Bayda governorate, on the afternoon of April 8th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several sources – for example Yemen Live News – reported that two alleged militants were killed around

Summary

First published
April 8, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
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

August 4, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM115-C

LOCATION

عدن, 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

First published
August 4, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0 – 5
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Geolocation
Province/governorate
Belligerents reported killed
0–5
View Incident

Incident date

January 30, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM046-B

LOCATION

الخديرة, Awadh Abd Al Nabi school in the village Al Khadira, Abyan, Yemen

Between three and 15 Al Qaeda members were killed and up to 15 others were injured in confirmed US airstrikes conducted by a mix of drones and manned aircrafts under the US Department of Defence’s control on Awadh Abd Al Nabi school in the village Al Khadira on January 31, 2012. There were no known

Summary

First published
January 31, 2012
Last updated
August 28, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
0
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
3–15
Belligerents reported injured
2–15
View Incident

Incident date

May 16, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM083-B

LOCATION

جبل يسوف, Jabal (Mount) Yasuf, Abyan, Yemen

On the afternoon of May 16th 2012 in Jabal (Mount) Yasuf in the Abyan province, Yemen, 16 militants, allegedly members of Al Qaeda, were killed and between five and 14 others were injured in two airstrikes allegedly orchestrated by the Yemeni air force and carried out by Yemeni fighter jets with possible assistance from the

Summary

First published
May 16, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Naval bombardment
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
16
Belligerents reported injured
5–14
View Incident

Incident date

October 28, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM133-C

LOCATION

وادي آل أبو جبارة, Wadi Al Abu Jabarah, Sa'dah, Yemen

On the 28th October 2012 at 10am in the Wadi al Abu Jabara area in Saada Governorate, northern Yemen, a suspected US drone conducted three airstrikes against two houses in the area, injuring two civilians, a woman and her son, and killing between three and four alleged Al Qaeda militants and injuring one, according to

Summary

First published
October 28, 2012
Last updated
August 28, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
0
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
3–4
Belligerents reported injured
1
View Incident

Incident date

December 14, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr124-C

LOCATION

يكلا‎, Yakla, Al Bayda, Yemen

At least two women, and possibly two children, all from the same family, were reportedly killed by a US drone strike on a house in Yakla, in the Wald Rabi area of Bayda governorate, on the evening of December 15th 2017. Mwatana later named the two women victims as “Hajera Ahmed Saleh Al Taisi, about

Summary

First published
December 15, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 5
(0–2 children2–3 women)
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.
Known belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

June 14, 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

First published
June 14, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
No
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 2, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr011

LOCATION

الصعيد, Al Said, Shabwa, Yemen

Multiple sources alleged that four al-Qaeda militants were killed in a US drone strike in al-Saeed, Shabwa province. Al Arabi for example reported that a car was targeted in Shabwa at dawn on March 2nd 2017, as it was travelling “towards the road linking the towns of Ahur and Shakra”.  There were no known reports

Summary

First published
March 2, 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
4
View Incident

Incident date

March 4, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr034-C

LOCATION

الرحبة, Al Rahba near Moujan village, Abyan, Yemen

Multiple sources reported that a US drone strike killed two alleged AQAP militants travelling on a motorbike in the outskirts of Ahwar, Abyan governorate, on the evening of March 4th 2017. While there were no known initial reports of civilian harm, the Yemeni human rights group Mwatana later said that two civilian honey traders were

Summary

First published
March 4, 2017
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
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 belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
Belligerents reported killed
0–2
View Incident

Incident date

April 7, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr071

LOCATION

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

A US drone strike reportedly killed two alleged AQAP militants in Al Sawma’ah district, Bayda governorate, on the evening of April 7th 2017. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several sources – for example Yemen Live News – reported that the alleged militants were killed while travelling on a motorbike in the

Summary

First published
April 7, 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

June 28, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr170

LOCATION

بئر شودقة, Bi'ir Shoudqa, Ma'rib, Yemen

A US drone strike targeted alleged AQAP militants in Bi’ir Shoudqa, Wadi Obeida area of Marib governorate, on June 28th 2018, a single source (@huodhoud) claimed. At around the same time, Yemeni sources began reporting that an alleged AQAP jurist, Abu Bihr Mohammed Darama, was killed by a US drone strike. It is unlikely Darama’s

Summary

First published
June 28, 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)
View Incident

Incident date

January 29, 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr221

LOCATION

الحصن المشرف, Al Hosson Al Mashrif, Al Bayda, Yemen

A US drone strike reportedly killed AQAP leaders Qasim Al-Raymi and Abu Al-Baraa Al-Ibbi as they travelled in a car through Yakla, Bayda governorate, on January 29th 2020. This was one of three alleged January strikes in which Qasim al-Raymi was reportedly killed – with his death in one of those actions later confirmed by

Summary

First published
January 29, 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
View Incident

Incident date

March 16, 2021

Incident Code

USYEMBi001-C

LOCATION

حي جو النسيم, Jao Al Naseem, Ma'rib, Yemen

Local sources in Marib reported casualties among civilians as a result of a reported attack either by a US-drone on a car entering a popular market in Marib – or by a Houthi balluistic missile strike on the market – on March 16th, 2021. While @aalnaasi said the attack happened on Dahbeel station in Al-Naseem,

Summary

First published
March 16, 2021
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
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, Houthi Forces
Suspected target
Unknown
Belligerents reported killed
2
View Incident

Incident date

February 29, 2024

Incident Code

USYEMBi017

LOCATION

محيط المخا, Vicinity of Al Mukha, Taiz, Yemen

At least two fishermen, including a 16-year old child, were killed and two others were injured by alleged US airstrikes or Houthi drone strikes off the coast of Al Mukha on February 29, 2024. A tweet from @aalnaasi reported that US aircraft carried out two raids on a Yemeni fishing boat that was sailing near

Summary

First published
February 29, 2024
Last updated
March 18, 2024
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(1 child1 man)
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.
Impact
Food
Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Houthi Forces
Named victims
4 named
Geolocation
City
View Incident