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

13 November 2021

Incident Code

USYEMBi004-C

Location

Aqba Amkawa, Shabwa, Yemen
عقبة امقوة
At least one civilian was killed and another civilian, a woman, was injured in alleged Saudi Coalition or US drone strikes on the Olaya Markha district of Shabwa governorate. Sources were conflicted about whether the other two to three people killed and two to three people wounded were civilians or members of Al Qaeda. A Facebook…

Summary

Published
13 November 2021
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Incident Date

13 November 2021

Incident Code

USYEMBi003

Location

Hadba Al Aushan, Shabwa, Yemen
حدبى ال عوشان
At least one person, identified as an Al-Qaeda affiliate, was killed in alleged US drone strikes on the Al-Hadba area in the Wadi Marib district of Yemen the afternoon of November 13, 2021. A post from Hudhud Sabaa news alleged that a US drone strike targeted an Al-Qaeda affiliate from Al-Dhalea’s Al-Dhalea district in Hadbaa Al-Aushan.…

Summary

Published
13 November 2021
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Incident Date

24 August 2021

Incident Code

USYEMBi002

Location

Yemen
Two alleged members of Al Qaeda were killed in US airstrikes in Yemen sometime before August 24, 2021. According to a Facebook post from Mushir Al Mashrai, Al-Qaeda organization in Yemen mourned Rashid Al-Ghazali and his brother Abu Asim, who said that they were killed in an American raid. A tweet from @GhalebM0nz1i7 reported that the…

Summary

Published
24 August 2021
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Incident Date

16 March 2021

Incident Code

USYEMBi001-C

Location

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

Published
16 March 2021
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Incident Date

14 December 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr233

Location

Al Batha, Ma'rib, Yemen
البطحة
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

Published
14 December 2020
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Incident Date

14 November 2020

Incident Code

USYEMTr232

Location

Al-Nakhil Resthouse - Bin Maeili Station, Ma'rib, Yemen
استراحة النخيل ـ محطة بن معيلي
Local sources reported the injury of up to three members of Al-Qaeda after a drone attack that targeted them near a farm close to Bin Maeili Station in Wadi Abeeda, Ma'reb on November 14th, 2020. @abdalrzeg8713 tweeted that one of the three members was injured by a US drone attack. However, 7adramout.net said that three…

Summary

Published
14 November 2020
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