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 November 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr116-C

Location

وادي الحيات, Wadi Al Hayat, Al Bayda, Yemen
A US Central Command spokesperson told reporters that a strike had killed two alleged ISIS militants in Bayda governorate on November 12th 2017. This confirmed earlier reports that a US drone strike in the Dhi Kalib area of Qayfa had killed two at noon on that date. Two sources suggested that one of those killed…

Summary

Published
12 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Civilians reported killed
1
Military actors reported killed
1–2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

11 November 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr115-C

Location

خبران, Khabran, Al Bayda, Yemen
Multiple sources reported that a US drone strike in Qayfa, in Bayda governorate, killed one civilian and seriously injured another on the morning of November 11th 2017.  Some other sources suggested that at least one alleged ISIS militant was killed in the strike. US Central Command later confirmed that a strike took place in Bayda…

Summary

Published
11 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Vehicle (Car)
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
1
Military actors reported killed
1–3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

10 November 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr114

Location

صرار الجشم, Sirar Jusham, Al Bayda, Yemen
In an email to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a US spokesperson stated that a CENTCOM strike had targeted ISIS militants in Al Bayda governorate on November 10th 2017, killing two. This confirmed earlier local reports that a US drone strike had killed two alleged militants in or near Sirar Jusham, in the Qayfa area,…

Summary

Published
10 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
2–24
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

10 November 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr113

Location

جبل عكد, Jabal Akad, Abyan, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly killed two alleged AQAP militants in or near Jabal Akad, in the Lawdar district of Abyan governorate, on November 10th 2017. There were no known reports of civilian harm. According to @demolinari and @NokhbaHadramout, the US strike targeted the militants as they were travelling on a motorbike, killing both. Reuters…

Summary

Published
10 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Military actors reported killed
2
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

4 November 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr112

Location

صرواح, Sirwah, Ma'rib, Yemen
Some local language sources, including @MasirahTV, suggested that a US drone strike took place in the Sirwah district of Marib governorate on the morning of November 4th. All sources posted on November 4th 2017 itself. There were no known associated reports of civilian or militant harm, and no further information was given. Given that all…

Summary

Published
4 November 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 November 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr111

Location

الحصون, Al Huson, Ma'rib, Yemen
A US drone strike reportedly killed at least two alleged AQAP militants in Al Huson, in the Al Wadi area of Marib governorate, on the evening of November 2nd 2017. In an email to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a US Central Command spokesperson confirmed that a strike had taken place in Marib, stating that…

Summary

Published
2 November 2017
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