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

443 – 642

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 153 separate alleged incidents.

90 – 110
children likely killed
38 – 57
women likely killed
470
likely injured
425
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
542 – 828
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S. Forces actions in Yemen.
153 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
443 – 642
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S. Forces
97 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
39 – 52
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
30 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
445 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

12 January 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr134

Location

مديريه القريشيه, Al Quraishyah District, Al Bayda, Yemen
At least five AQAP militants were reportedly killed in the course of at least four alleged US drone strikes in Qayfa, Bayda governorate, on the evening of January 12th 2018.  According to local language news sources, strikes reportedly targeted the area of Al-Jassima. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. A source told…

Summary

Published
12 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr135

Location

لقاح, Liqah, Al Bayda, Yemen
At least five AQAP militants were reportedly killed in the course of up to five alleged US drone strikes in Qayfa, Bayda governorate, on the evening of January 12th 2018.  According to local-language news sources, strikes reportedly targeted the area of Hami Liqah. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. A source told…

Summary

Published
12 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

12 January 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr132

Location

ذي كالب, Jabal Novan, Al Bayda, Yemen
At least five alleged AQAP militants were reportedly killed in the course of at least four US drone strikes in the vicinity of Qayfa, in Bayda governorate, on the evening of January 12th 2018. At least one of these strikes reportedly took place in the area of Jabal Novan, allegedly killing four. There were no…

Summary

Published
12 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
5
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

9 January 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr131

Location

مديرية الصومعة, As Sawma'ah District, Al Bayda, Yemen
Three alleged AQAP militants were reportedly killed by a US drone strike in Sama'a directorate, Bayda governorate, on the evening of January 9th 2018. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. Several Twitter and local-language news sources reported the strike, including Al-Masdar Online, @demolinari, and Al-Arabi. A tribal leader told Anatolia Agency that…

Summary

Published
9 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2–3 January, 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr130

Location

قيفه, Qifah, Al Bayda, Yemen
At least two alleged AQAP militants were reportedly killed by at least one US drone strike in Qifah, Bayda governorate, late on January 2nd-3rd 2018. Others suggested that a strike had killed two pro-government militia members and wounded others. There were no known associated reports of civilian harm. One source, @demolinari, indicated that a US…

Summary

Published
2 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
2–4
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

1 January 2018

Incident Code

USYEMTr129-C

Location

ذي كالب, Dhi Kalib, Al Bayda, Yemen
Two civilians were allegedly killed by a US drone strike in Dhi Kalb, in the Qayfa area of Bayda governorate, on the afternoon of January 1st 2018, according to multiple sources. In an email to the Long War Journal, a US Central Command spokesperson confirmed that a strike took place "against AQAP" in Bayda on…

Summary

Published
1 January 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Agriculture (Agricultural Land)
Civilians reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident