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

439 – 634

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 149 separate alleged incidents.

90 – 110
children likely killed
38 – 57
women likely killed
470
likely injured
421
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
534 – 816
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S. Forces actions in Yemen.
149 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
439 – 634
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S. Forces
95 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
35 – 48
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
28 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
60 – 134
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
435 incidents
Order results by:
Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

28 February 2023

Incident Code

USYEMBi010

Location

Markha, Shabwa, Yemen
مرخة
On February 28th 2023, a drone strike reportedly hit the Al-Alia district of Aqaba Amqwah targeting the Shabwa Defense Forces, on the border between Shabwa and Al-Bayda governorates.  Sources report that the drone strike was either a US drone or a Houthi attack. According to most sources, one member of the Fifth Brigade in the…

Summary

Published
28 February 2023
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Incident Date

27 February 2023

Incident Code

USYEMBi009

Location

near Al fateh School, Al-Hosen region, Wadi Abeda district, Ma'rib, Yemen
قرب مدرسه الفتح بمنطقة الحصون بمديريه الوادي
On February 27th 2023, a reported US drone strike hit a house near Al-Fateh School, in the Al-Hosen region of Wadi Abeda district in Marib, Yemen. According to local sources, two to three people were killed and up to one person was seriously injured.  It was widely reported that the men killed and injured were…

Summary

Published
27 February 2023
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Incident Date

30 January 2023

Incident Code

USYEMBi008

Location

Al Hayra petrol station, Ma'rib, Yemen
محطة الحايرة
On January 30th 2023, an alleged United States drone strike was reported to have hit a car in Wadi Ubaidah in the Marib Governorate of Yemen. Three people were allegedly killed who were in the car at the time, who Al Mahara and other local sources reported were "members of Al-Qaeda", including a prominent leader…

Summary

Published
30 January 2023
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Incident Date

30 November 2022

Incident Code

USYEMBi007

Location

Hadba Al Awshan, Ma'rib, Yemen
حدبا العوشان
Between one to three civilians, including a woman and two children, were reported killed and up to five others, including a woman, a child and two paramedics, were injured in alleged US drone strikes on a home in the Al-Hadba area of Al-Wadi, Marib on November 30, 2022. A member of Ansar al-Sharia (AQAP) who…

Summary

Published
30 November 2022
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Incident Date

6 February 2022

Incident Code

USYEMBi006

Location

Al Kawlah, Ma'rib, Yemen
الكولة
On February 6th 2022, an alleged US drone strike was reported to have struck a car with Al-Qaeda members inside, possibly including a "suspected leader."  All passengers - reported as Al-Qaeda militants - in the car were reported to have been "killed and wounded", and civilian casualties were also reported of those "who were near…

Summary

Published
6 February 2022
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Incident Date

15 December 2021

Incident Code

USYEMTr238

Location

Al Awshan, Ma'rib, Yemen
آل عوشان
At least one Al Qaeda member was killed by alleged US drone strikes on a house in the Hadba Al-Awshan area on December 15, 2021. Yemen Anbaa News reported that a drone believed to be American killed an emir of Al Qaeda in an abandoned house in the Hadba Al-Awshan area. He was alleged to…

Summary

Published
15 December 2021
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