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

2 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr019

Location

مديرية الصعيد, As Said District, Shabwa, Yemen
Some local language sources suggested that a US drone strike killed at least three alleged AQAP militants travelling in a car in the Al Shuaib area, in the As Saeed directorate of Shabwah governorate. One source indicated that the strike took place in the "suburbs of Azan". There were no reported civilian casualties. It was…

Summary

Published
2 March 2017
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 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr020

Location

جعار, Ja'ar, Al Bayda, Yemen
Multiple sources reported that several US airstrikes targeted alleged AQAP militants in the Sama'a district of Bayda governorate at dawn on March 2nd 2017. There were no reports on any casualties. Several sources suggested that more than thirty airstrikes took place.  According to al-Ain, the strikes were conducted by American F-16 jets and helicopters, while…

Summary

Published
2 March 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 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr021

Location

جبل نوفان, Jabal Novan, Al Bayda, Yemen
Multiple sources reported that US airstrikes targeted alleged AQAP militants in Jabal Novan, Bayda governorate, overnight from March 1st to March 2nd, killing three. There were no known reports of civilian casualties. Local language sources suggested that strikes targeted an al-Qaeda "training centre" in the town of Jabal Novan, in the area of Qaifa. These…

Summary

Published
2 March 2017
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 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr024

Location

جبل نوفان, Jabal Novan, Al Bayda, Yemen
Sources reported that US airstrikes targeted AQAP militants in Jabal Novan, Bayda governorate, overnight from March 2nd to March 3rd. There were no known reports of civilian casualties. Alleged strikes in the area came hours after another alleged strike in Jabal Novan had reportedly killed three AQAP militants early on March 2nd.  The evening strikes…

Summary

Published
2 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Military actors reported killed
14–17
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2–3 March, 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr026-C

Location

يكلا, Yakla, Al Bayda, Yemen
Multiple sources suggested that US airstrikes targeted alleged AQAP militants in al-Ghail village and in the broader Yakla area of Qaifa, Bayda governorate, overnight from March 2nd to March 3rd, killing at least three alleged militants. Some sources reported that there was an unspecified number of civilian casualties. Local sources reported that the overnight strikes…

Summary

Published
2 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike
Infrastructure
Residential
Civilians reported killed
4
Military actors reported killed
3
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident

Incident Date

2 March 2017

Incident Code

USYEMTr012-C

Location

منطقة ‎‎ال عتيق, Al Ateeq area, Shabwa, Yemen
Several sources reported that US airstrikes targeted AQAP militants in Wadi Yashbum, Shabwa province, at dawn on March 2nd 2017. Some local language Twitter sources reported that three areas of the Yashbum Valley had been targeted by US strikes simultaneously.  There were some allegations of civilian harm from the wider US campaign in the area,…

Summary

Published
2 March 2017
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Infrastructure
Religious (Prayer Space), Residential
Civilians reported killed
8
Military actors reported killed
4–8
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military Actor
U.S. Forces
View Incident