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

August 29, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM122-C

LOCATION

خشامر, Khashamir, Hadramaut, Yemen

As many as nine people were reportedly killed by alleged US drone or airstrikes as they travelled through the village of Khashamir on August 29, 2023. Up to four missiles were fired at the village causing extensive damage to homes and terrifying the local residents sufficiently for some to be rushed to hospital with shock.

Summary

First published
August 29, 2012
Last updated
September 13, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 4
(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.
Suspected belligerent
US Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
Belligerents reported killed
3–5
View Incident

Incident date

June 20, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM108-C

LOCATION

المحفد, Mahfed district, Abyan, Yemen

On the 20th of June 2012, an airstrike allegedly by US or Yemeni forces in northern Abyan killed Hussein Saleh (35), a worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), multiple sources, such as Reuters, reported. Al-Sahwa Net also reported that seven militants were killed and 10 others were wounded in the same

Summary

First published
June 20, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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)
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
7
Belligerents reported injured
10
View Incident

Incident date

June 15, 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

First published
June 15, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 7
(4–6 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
4
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
Named victims
6 named, 2 families identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 16, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM085-C

LOCATION

سيئون, شبام, Between Sayoun and Shibam, Hadramaut, Yemen

At 12:45am on May 17th 2012, an alleged unmanned US drone struck a convoy of two cars along the highway from Sayoun to Shibam alongside a lake opposite the radio station of the Thabit / Shibam area, killing two to three alleged Al Qaeda militants and killing one civilian, Moteei Mohsin Bel-Ala. Locals had sighted

Summary

First published
May 17, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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)
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
2–3
Belligerents reported injured
2
View Incident

Incident date

May 6, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM073-C

LOCATION

وادي رفض, Wadi Al Abyadh, Rafd valley, Shabwa, Yemen

On the 6th of May 2012 at approximately 5:30pm local time a drone strike, allegedly carried out by the CIA, killed up to six people, including one civilian, in Wadi Al Abyadh in Shabwa governorate. A drone struck and killed Fahd al-Qasaa (37) along with at least one more individual in the Shabwa governorate of

Summary

First published
May 6, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
2–5
View Incident

Incident date

March 30, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM054-C

LOCATION

عزان, Azzan, Shabwa, Yemen

Initial reports suggested that one civilian was killed and six to eight civilians, including three to six children, were injured in an alleged US drone strike targeting a vehicle allegedly carrying AQAP members, in the city of Azzan in Shabwa Province at 4pm on the 30th of March 2012. A later report by Akkarama on

Summary

First published
March 30, 2012
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
6–8
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)
Named victims
7 named
Belligerents reported killed
2–5
Belligerents reported injured
3
View Incident

Incident date

March 9, 2012

Incident Code

USYEM047-C

LOCATION

المخنق, Al Makhnaq, Al Zahir district, Al Bayda, Yemen

Ten to 43 suspected militants were reported killed in a drone strike at 9:15pm on al Bayda, Yemen, March 9th, 2012. Yet in interviews, human rights activists and victims’ relatives said “many” of the dead were civilians, not fighters, with at least two named civilian victims and a report of a child killed. As many

Summary

First published
March 9, 2012
Last updated
August 28, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 10
(0–1 children2 men)
Civilians reported injured
0–55
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
10–43
Belligerents reported injured
0–55
View Incident

Incident date

October 14, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM042-C

LOCATION

حريب, Harib district, Ma'rib, Yemen

Saleh Qaid Toayman and his 14-year-old son Jalal were reportedly killed in an alleged overnight US airstrike in Azzan on October 14, 2011, according to local reports. Saleh and Jalal were grazing camels “in an area known to be controlled by Al Qaeda,’” and had then slept by a mosque, according to Toayman’s 15-year-old son Azzedine,

Summary

First published
October 14, 2011
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
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
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

September 5, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM034-C

LOCATION

مدرسة الفاروق الثانوية في جعار, Al-Farouq high school, Jaar, Abyan, Yemen

At least one civilian, a child, was killed and four others, including two children, were injured in the alleged US drone strike or Yemeni airstrike that hit the Al-Farouq High School in Ja´ar Abyan Province on the 5th of September 2011. Wafaa Mohammed Ahmed al-Hamza (8 years old) was killed and her father Mohammed Ahmed

Summary

First published
September 5, 2011
Last updated
August 25, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian infrastructure
School
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
4
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)
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Nearby landmark
View Incident

Incident date

September 5, 2011

Incident Code

USYEM032-C

LOCATION

مسجد جعار الكبير, Jaar Grand Mosque, Abyan, Yemen

Up to seven civilians were killed and three to five others, including a child, were injured in alleged Yemeni or US airstrikes against the Grand Mosque in Jaar on the 5th of September, 2011. Civilians Jaber Qassem Salem (72), Hazza Ahmed Atta Baheb, Haidara Mohsen Ali al-Abidi were killed and Omar Qassem (11) among other

Summary

First published
September 5, 2011
Last updated
August 28, 2023
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian infrastructure
Religious Institution
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(3 men)
Civilians reported injured
3–5
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)
Named victims
4 named
Geolocation
Nearby landmark
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

May 24, 2010

Incident Code

USYEM012-C

LOCATION

مَأْرِب, Marib, Ma'rib, Yemen

Between three and six civilians died and two to three others were wounded in a botched US airstrike in Marib Province on May 24, 2010, according to local sources. In addition, between one and two militants were killed and another injured in the same incident. Civilian victims were named as: Jaber Ben Ali Ben Jaber

Summary

First published
May 24, 2010
Last updated
August 28, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 6
(3–6 men)
Civilians reported injured
2–3
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
9 named, 1 familiy identified
Geolocation
Province/governorate
Belligerents reported killed
1–2
Belligerents reported injured
0–1
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2009

Incident Code

USYEM002-C

LOCATION

المعجلة, Al Majala, Abyan, Yemen

At least forty-seven civilians, including at least twenty-two children and twelve women, were reportedly killed after a US cruise-missile strike targeted an alleged AQAP training camp on the edge of Al-Majala village, Mahfad district of Abyan governorate, at around 6 AM on December 17th 2009. This was the first known strike in Yemen approved by

Summary

First published
December 17, 2009
Last updated
August 28, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
47 – 64
(22–23 children12–17 women11–19 men)
Civilians reported injured
23–88
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
62 named, 11 families identified
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
6–24
Belligerents reported injured
4
View Incident