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 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250428a

Location

Remand Detention Center, Sadaa, Sadaa, Yemen
السجن الاحتياطي، صعدة
68 civilians detained in Sadaa's Remand Detention Centre were killed and at least 47 injured by alleged US airstrikes on the morning of 28 April, 2025. The Centre primarily held migrants coming from African countries and was believed to be holding 115 people at the time of the strike. Yemen is a frequent route for…

Summary

Published
16 May 2025
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Incident Date

27 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250427a

Location

Thaqban area, Bani al-Harith District, Sanaa, Yemen
منطقة ثقبان بمديرية بني الحارث
At around 8pm on 27th April 2025, at least 11 civilians, including eight children and two women, were killed and four others, including three children, were injured by alleged US airstrikes on four homes in the Thaqban area in Bani al-Harith District of Sanaa, Yemen. @TvAlmasirah provided an initial toll of eight citizens killed, including…

Summary

Published
16 May 2025
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Incident Date

16 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250416a

Location

Al-Nahda neighbourhood, Al-Thawra district, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
حي النهضة، مديرية الثورة، صنعاء
A man was killed by an alleged US airstrike on the Al-Nahda neighbourhood in the Al-Thawra district of Sanaa,Yemen on 16 April, 2025. Online commenters stated that the man was a civilian. On a Facebook post by Sanaa Rohi, comments attested to his lack of involvement in militancy, reporting that the deceased was a building…

Summary

Published
16 May 2025
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Incident Date

24 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250424a

Location

Bir Zaid neighbourhood, Al-Jarf area, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
مديرية بير زيد الشمالية، الجراف، صنعاء
Between one and three civilians were injured by an alleged US airstrikes on the Bir Zaid neighbourhood in Al-Jarf, Sanaa on April 24, 2025. The strikes reportedly occurred in the middle of the night. @TvAlmasirah quoted the Ministry of Health which stated that three citizens were injured by the US “aggression” on Al-Jarf neighbourhood in…

Summary

Published
16 May 2025
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Incident Date

19 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250419c

Location

Majel Ad-Damna Cemetery, Al-Safiyah District, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
مقبرة ماجل الدمة، حي الصافية، صَنْعَاء‎
Two civilians, a young man and his daughter, were injured when alleged US airstrikes struck the Majel Ad-Damna cemetery in the Al-Safiyah neighborhood of Sana'a, Yemen the evening of April 19, 2025. A Houthi leader was also reportedly killed in the strike. @TvAlmasirah reported that one person was wounded by a US strike on the…

Summary

Published
16 May 2025
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Incident Date

26 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250426a

Location

14th of October neighbourhood, Al Sab’een district, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
حي ١٤ اوكتوبر بمديرية السبعين، صَنْعَاء‎
A woman, identified only as Batoul, was killed by an alleged US airstrike on the “October 14 neighbourhood” on 26 April, 2025. Missing under the rubble, her body was found more than 16 hours after the strike. A video shared by @TvAlmasirah showed Batoul’s husband, “search[ing] for his wife under the rubble of his destroyed…

Summary

Published
15 May 2025
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