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

17 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250417a

Location

Ras Isa Port, Al-Hodeida, Al Hudaydah, Yemen
ميناء رأس عيسى، الحديدة
At around 9:30 PM on April 17th, 2025, declared US airstrikes hit the Ras Isa Port in Al Hodeida, Yemen. These airstrikes were the first in a reported series of strikes that continued into the early morning of the 18th, reportedly killing at least 84 civilians and injuring another 150. The majority of those killed…

Summary

Published
15 May 2025
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Incident Date

20 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250420a

Location

Market in Furwa neighbourhood, Shu'ub District, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
سوق في حي فروة، مديرية شعوب، صنعاء
At least thirteen civilians were killed and between 30 and 34 others injured when an airstrike or air defense missile hit the Furwa neighbourhood market during the evening of 20 April, 2025. Sources diverged on whether the US or Houthis were responsible. Ibrahim Khalil Muhammad was killed, as was Ramzi Zakaria Fahim al-Badawi, Essam al-Arabi,…

Summary

Published
15 May 2025
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Incident Date

19 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250419b

Location

Bani Matar, Sanaa, Yemen
مديرية بني مطر
A Facebook post from “Abu Yahya Al-Eryani New” reported that one civilian was killed and one other was wounded by US raids on Bani Matar. Multiple other local sources, including @TvAlmasirah and @Alyemen_One, provided a similar death and injury toll. No other details were found among local sources about the victims. Where sources identified a…

Summary

Published
12 May 2025
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Incident Date

19 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250419a

Location

Al-Nahda neighbourhood, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
حي النهضة السكني، صَنْعَاء
Two civilians were killed and two others were injured by alleged US airstrike on the Al-Nahda neighborhood in the Al-Thawra district of Sana'a, Yemen on April 19, 2025. The strike also reportedly killed three Houthi leaders. A Facebook post from "Palestine and Yemen News" reported "Two martyrs and two wounded" by US "aggression" on the…

Summary

Published
2 May 2025
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Incident Date

13 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250413a

Location

Al-Sawari Ceramics Factory, Matnah, Bani Matar District, Sanaa, Yemen
بجوار مصنع الصواري للسيراميك، متنة، منطقة بني مطر
At least three civilians were killed and between 10 and 29 others were injured by alleged US airstrikes on a factory in the Matna area in Bani Matar, Sanaa, Yemen on April 13th, 2025. Initial reporting from the Yemeni Ministry of Health, quoted by @TvAlmasirah and Al Moaeed Abd al Bari, stated that two people…

Summary

Published
2 May 2025
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Incident Date

6 April 2025

Incident Code

USYEM250406a

Location

Shaab Al-Hafa area, Shu'ub district, Sanaa, Sanaa, Yemen
منطقة شعب الحافة، مديرية شعوب، صنعاء
At least three civilians, including at least one child and one woman, were killed and between 16 to 25 other civilians, including 11 women and children, were injured by alleged US airstrikes on the Shaab Al-Hafa neighborhood in the Shu'ub district of Sanaa, Yemen on April 6, 2025. A tweet from @Jih_8 reported that a…

Summary

Published
2 May 2025
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